ST. JOSEPH — Cassopolis captured the Lake Michigan Catholic softball tournament championship by beating the host Lakers 23-8 and Berrien Springs 13-2.

In the first game, Nikki Keefe scattered 10 hits with seven strikeouts and no walks.

Keefe was also 4-for-4 at the plate with two doubles and five RBIs. Maile Barber and Kayla Rowan both had four hits with a double. They combined to drive in eight runs.

Kaitlyn Hartsell added a double.

Against Berrien Springs, Olivia Purlee allowed just two earned runs on five hits with six strikeouts and one walk.

Jayna Locke and Barber both doubled for the Rangers, who got two hits each from Katie Purlee, Olivia Purlee and Brooks.

 

CASSOPOLIS 23, LAKE MICHIGAN 8

At St. Joseph

First game

Cassopolis   245        75 – 23 21 1

L. Michigan 131        03 – 8 10 4

Nikki Keefe (W); Katie Stutz (L).

2B: Kaitlyn Hartsell (CA), Maile Barber (CA), Keefe (CA) 2, Kayla Rowan (CA), Emmy Koenig (LMC), Anika Gaska (LMC).

HR: Gaska (LMC).

 

Second game

B. Springs   110         00 – 2 5 5

Cassopolis  561         1x – 13 9 2

Olivia Purlee (W); Livi Brewer (L).

2B: Jayna Locke (CA), Maile Barber (CA).

 

Vs. Michigan Lutheran

Host Cassopolis had only 12 hits, but scored 38 runs in sweeping Michigan Lutheran 21-2 and 17-2 in non-conference softball Monday.

In the opening game, Nikki Keefe tossed a four-hitter with four strikeouts and no walks.

“Tonight we were really able to get out some kinks with our hitting,” Cassopolis first-year coach Demi Schrader said. “We were also able to move some girls around in the field to see how they would adjust. Our pitchers also threw well today.”

Maile Barber was 2-for-3 with a double and three RBIs, while Erica Williams homered and drove in three runs for the Rangers.

Madison Brooks was 2-for-2 with a double. Kaylyn Forrest also doubled for Cassopolis.

Olivia Purlee tossed a two-hitter in the nightcap with five strikeouts and no walks.

Forrest was 2-for-3 with a triple and four RBIs, while Keefe homered and drove in three runs.

Kayla Rowan added a double and two RBIs.

 

CASSOPOLIS 21-17, MICHIGAN LUTHERAN 2-2

At Cassopolis

First game

Lutheran        200 – 2 4 5

Cassopolis     (12)9x – 21 7 2

Nikki Keefe (W); Paige Oselka (L), Abi Koch (3).

2B: Kaylyn Forrest (C), Madison Brooks (C), Maile Barber (C).

3B: Koch (ML).

HR: Erica Williams (C).

 

Second game

Lutheran        200 – 2 2 7

Cassopolis     269 – 17 5 4

Olivia Purlee (W); Paige Oselka (L).

2B: Kaylyn Forrest (C), Kayla Rowan (C).

3B: Forrest (C).

HR: Nikki Keefe (C).

 

Vs. Centreville

CENTREVILLE — The Cassopolis softball team swept a BCS Athletic Conference doubleheader from Centreville Tuesday.

The Rangers needed eight innings to win the opening game 4-3. Cassopolis won the nightcap 10-4.

“We played so well tonight,” Schrader said. “The first game we played tight defense. We got hits when we needed them. The second game our bats finally started getting hot. I am so proud of my girls. We are improving each and every game.”

In the opening, Nikki Keefe allowed one earned run on five hits with five strikeouts and just one walk.

Katie Purlee and Kayla Rowan both went 2-for-4 with an RBI for the Rangers, who also got a double from Malie Barber. Lynnzee Armstrong was 2-for-2.

Olivia Purlee was the winning pitcher in the second game as she did not allow an earned run on seven hits with four strikeouts.

Madison Brooks was 2-for-4 with a double, a triple and four RBIs, while Armstrong doubled and drove in a pair of runs.

 

CASSOPOLIS 4-10, CENTREVILLE 3-4

At Centreville

First game

Cassopolis    101 000 02 – 4 7 5

Centreville    000 101 01 – 3 5 1

Nikki Keefe (W); Russell (L).

2B: Maile Barber (CA), Trattles (CE).

3B: Demeyer (CE).

HR: Demeyer (CE).

 

Second game

Cassopolis    120 201 4 – 10 8 5

Centreville    200 000 2 – 4 7 9

Olivia Purlee (W); Walton (L).

2B: Lynnzee Armstrong (CA), Madison Brooks (CA), Demeyer (CE).

3B: Brooks (CA), Demeyer (CE).