The softball team couldn’t have started its season any better than it did: Two dominating road wins. 

And during the Duhawks’ doubleheader sweep of Ashford University, a loud message was sent to future opposing pitchers: They had better be careful when pitching to Michelle Bahl. 

The senior infielder terrorized Ashford with three home runs during the doubleheader. Overall, she had six hits in seven official at-bats, while scoring five runs and driving in four runs. 

Even though a few key players on the team were playing the first games of their collegiate career, the early-season jitters were not in evidence Monday in Clinton, IA.

Junior pitcher Michelle Sabatini took care of business in the first game, surrendering just two runs while hurling seven strong innings during a 6-2 victory. Sabatini allowed just five hits while striking out eight. 

In the meantime, Bahl had three hits in three at-bats, including her first home run of the season. In her only other plate appearance, she was hit by a pitch.

Coach Ashley Rogers was happy with what her team’s approach at the plate. 

“I was really impressed with how our team did offensively,” she said. “Scoring in the first inning of each game was key. “Starting the season with two wins was great. The Duhawks came out confident and prepared.”

In the second game, the Duhawks sent first-year pitcher Kellie Klein to the mound. In her first collegiate start, Klein was as equally as dominant as Sabatini, scattering five hits, and also fanning eight hitters. As if that wasn’t enough to make her college debut a memorable one, she also had a good day at the plate, stroking two base hits during the 7-3 win. 

Loras made a big splash in the first inning, scoring three runs. After first-year infielder Shelby Perkins walked, Bahl drove her home with another home run. Later in the game, Bahl decided to go for a hat trick, hitting her third homer of the two-game set. Bahl was 3-for-4 in the second game, while scoring three runs and also driving in three.

“Our pitchers really stood out; Michelle Sabatini and Kellie Klein did an outstanding job of keeping the Ashford batters off balance,” Rogers said. “Offensively, senior Michelle Bahl had a great day at the plate, hitting three home runs in the doubleheader. 

“We also saw great at bats from our freshman outfielder Beth Miller, key RBIs from our junior first-baseman Sara Palzynski, and a clutch pinch hitting performance from sophomore (infielder) Maggie Writt,” Rogers added. 

Starting this week, the Duhawks will get busy with 11 games in nine days, and they hope to see more of what they saw in their first two games: Near-flawless pitching and an offense to match the productivity.