The Hopkins varsity softball team split a non-conference doubleheader Monday against Kenowa Hills, losing the first game 5-3, but winning the second 10-6.
The Lady Vikings now are 19-8 overall and 11-2 in the O-K Silver Conference.
Hopkins was down only 1-0 until the fifth inning, when Kenowa erupted for four runs.
Coach Amy Funk said, “Kenowa Hills’ offense is strong and so is their pitching as they struck out nine.”
The Lady Vikings were limited to four hits, but one was a homer by Haleigh Miller.
Madelyn Schans took the loss on the mound for Hopkins . She allowed eight hits and five runs over seven innings, striking out four. Miller, Hannah Wubben, Sierra Smith, and Maddie Wyngarden each had one hit.
The nightcap witnessed a lot more offense, as the Vikings collected 16 hits, The Knights got things started with a solo homer in the first inning, but Hopkins came up with a four-run rally in the third. Madelyn Schans singled in two runs, Emily Dimock singled in another and an error scored a fourth run.
Schans earned the victory on the rubber allowing nine hits and six runs while striking out four and walking one. Morgan Dykstra had a long home run, her first ever, in the fifth inning. Emily Dimock, Sierra Smith, Haleigh Miller, Emma Martonosi, Hannah Wubben, and Schans each collected multiple hits. Dimock went 3-for-4 at the plate.
COVER PHOTO: Maddie Wyngarden (left), coach Amy Funk and Sierra Smith confer while watching an opposing pitcher warm up.