Katelyn Kotlarz was nearly perfect in the pitcher's circle for the Briar Cliff softball team Saturday, as she recorded a no-hitter in just her third game in a Charger jersey. The Chargers went 2-0 on the day with a 3-1 victory over Graceland and a 5-0 win over William Woods.
 
"The team had a much better approach today both at the plate and on defense. We were much more focused and executed better," said head coach Erin Bly. "Our pitchers combined for two hits today with Kate throwing a no hitter. Our entire staff has worked very hard so it's nice to see good outcomes for them!"
 
The 1-2 punch of Maddi Duncan and Kotlarz shined in the Chargers two wins today. Kotlarz faced 25 William Woods batters in total, registering 13 strikeouts, no hits. Maddi Duncan pitched her second complete game of the season and earned her third win with 10 strikeouts.
 
Game 1 vs Graceland – W, 3-1
Graceland scored their only run (unearned) off Duncan in the first inning with a ground out to second base that scored their leadoff hitter. Aubrey Chichurka knotted the contest up in the bottom half of the inning with a triple and would advance to cross home plate on the throw.

Duncan would strand two Yellowjackets on base in the second inning, ending the frame with back-to-back swinging strikeouts. Duncan had four multi-strikeout innings and recorded all three outs in the fourth inning via strikeout.
 
Kennedy Andersen scored the game winning run in the bottom of the third, sending a solo home run to left field. The Blue and Gold added an insurance run in the sixth with Kylee Lukes scoring on a Callie Billings single. The Yellowjackets managed to put a runner on third base, but a line out to right field closed out the BC win.
 
Duncan allowed just two hits while walking three with 10 strikeouts as she moved to 3-0 on the season.
 
Game 2 vs William Woods – W, 5-0
Kotlarz shined against the Owls, pitching a no-hitter with 13 K's, while the Chargers bats put up three runs in the second inning.
 
After a scoreless first inning that saw Kotlarz strike out three batters, the Chargers got on the board first after an error by the Owl first baseman. Aketzalli Aranda singled down the left field line to score Billings, and Jessica James crossed home plate on a Sydney Lierman sac fly.
 
After a 1-2-3 inning, the Cliff tacked on another run to go up 4-0 as Chichurka scored on a James single.
 
Starting in the bottom of the third, Kotlarz recorded five straight outs via strike out. BC added their fifth and final run in the seventh as Chichurka drove in Ali Naumann.
 
The Chargers tallied seven hits, four stolen bases and did not commit an error in the field.
 
Briar Cliff returns to action tomorrow in Fulton, Missouri at 10 a.m. against Stephens and then again at 4:00 p.m. against William Woods.