NORTHFIELD, Minn. – The Carleton College softball team kicked off its 2024 season by sweeping Crown College 9-0 and 14-3, both in 5 innings. Sydney Trentman had a nearly perfect collegiate debut, issuing a leadoff walk before retiring the next 14 batters in order to secure the fourth recorded no-hitter in program history.
 
After seeing 72 percent of the innings pitched last season graduate in June, the Knights (2-0) needed some new arms, and boy did the rookies deliver. First-years Trentman and Rachel Block both picked up complete game wins in their collegiate debuts.
 
"I could tell we had a little of those 'first game of the season' jitters early on as we were swinging a little tight the first couple of innings, but Sydney's stellar showing definitely helped settle the team," said Carleton head coach Amy Erickson. "I'm really proud of how she came out and just focused on her job of throwing strikes and attacking batters; couldn't ask for a better start to her career.
 
"After giving up a couple runs in the first inning of Game 2, I'm really happy with the way we responded with some good sound base running and then making the adjustments on the pitcher to just keep carving out runs. Rachel also got out some early season nerves and settled into a nice rhythm as the game wore on. Overall, a solid team effort for the opening of the season."
 
Game 1: Carleton 9, Crown 0 (5 inn.)
Nerves may have been a factor with the first batter that Trentman faced, as she issued a five-pitch walk. That would prove to be the lone Polar to get on base in the opener. After back-to-back strikeouts, Natasha Paez helped Trentman out by throwing out the would-be base stealer.
 
The Knights got on the board right away in the bottom of the first inning. Helen Moses singled, advanced on an error and stole third base before coming home on Bryanna Schaffer RBI grounder.
 
Trentman ran her streak of consecutive strikeouts to eight after setting the side down in the second and third innings.
 
The Knights tacked on three runs playing in the third inning, including RBI singles from Grace Colburn and Ella Collins. An RBI double from Schaffer and RBI single from Adrianna Wiggins extended the lead to 6-0 in the fourth.
 
After a 1-2-3 fourth inning, Trentman closed her outing with another unblemished frame punctuated by her ninth strikeout of the contest.
 
The Knights needed only two runs in the bottom of the fifth to bring the eight-run rule into play, but ended up scoring three times. Amy Chen and Megan Smith both walked, before Moses knocked an two-run single and Schaffer got her second RBI double of the game.
 
Trentman notched the first no-no in program history since 2013 (see chart below), with only the one walk preventing her from posting a perfect game.
 
Game 2: Carleton 14, Crown 3 (5 inn.)
The Polars jumped out to a 2-0 lead in Game 2, but the Knights answered right back in the bottom of the opening inning thanks to 2 walks, 2 stolen bases, and an error. The Knights took the lead with a 3-spot in the bottom of the second frame, as Block singled, Reagan Willis reached on an error, and Smith walked. With the bases loaded for Schaffer, the Carleton shortstop cleared the bases with a double to deep right center field.
 
Block kept Crown in check in the top of the third and helped herself with an RBI single in the bottom half of the frame. The Knights blew the game open after batting around during the 8-run fourth inning.
 
The Polars scored a consolation unearned run in the top of the fifth, but it was nt enough as the Knights won  14-3.
 
Block pitched all 5.0 innings, with 4 strikeouts along with 5 walks and 5 hits allowed. Only one of the runs she surrendered was earned. She also went 3-for-3 with 2 RBI and a run scored.
 
Up Next for the Knights
Carleton returns to the Dundas Dome to host North Central University (Minn.) for games at 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 23.
 
Recorded No-Hitters in Carleton Softball History
Fauna Smith vs. Macalester College on April 21, 1999 (W 5-1)
Caitlyn Cornell vs. St. Joseph College on March 25, 2005 (W 13-0, 5 inn.)
Claire Willeck (3.0 IP) and Jenny Forster (2.0 IP) vs. Gallaudet University on March 20, 2013 (W 8-0, 5 inn.)
Sydney Trentman vs. Crown College on Feb. 17, 2024 (W, 9-0, 5 inn.)