[Softball] Spracklen tosses no-hitter, passes 400 career strikeouts in Softball Falcons' sweep ...

WICHITA, Kan. – Friends University senior standout pitcher Laila Spracklen recorded her first career no-hitter while breezing past 400 career strikeouts in the Falcons' 7-0 first-game victory over the Bethel College Threshers today (Apr. 8) at Two Rivers Youth Complex. The Falcons move to 22-8 overall with the win and remain in the second spot in the KCAC with a 10-2 league record.

Spracklen now has 408 career strikeouts, just 33 shy of the school record 441 set by Brandi Leeker (2006-09). The San Diego, Calif. native pitched four innings in a combined no-hitter last year at Dallas Christian, but this is her first career solo no-no. While there are multiple no-hitters on record for the Falcons, this is the first seven-inning no-no since Leeker in 2009.

"I love seeing everything come together, our pitching staff is throwing great!" said Friends softball head coach Suzanne Unruh. "Laila has been pitching well the last several conference games too! She has been working hard on mixing her speeds and spins, it's fun to watch!"

Spracklen's run support started in the second inning with an RBI double by Vanessa Sigala that plated Becca Dunn.

The two-way star then helped her own cause with an infield single in the third to chase home Aleigha Gale.

Dunn contributed again with a well-placed hit in front of the plate to score pinch-runner Izzy Jones in the fifth before bases-loaded walks to Spracklen, Carolyn Dallimore and a two-run single by Dunn busted things open for the Falcons in the sixth frame.

Spracklen totaled a career-high 14 strikeouts overall, just two shy of Leeker (2009) and Kelsey Porter's 2010 single-game marks. The only base runner the Threshers mustered was a one-walk in the fourth inning.

Dunn was 3-of-3 with three RBIs, with Gale and Fallyn Marshall each producing two hits in the first game victory for the Falcons.

The Falcon offensive attack was even more potent in the nightcap, with Priscilla Mora finishing off a two-run first frame with a single that scored Gale.

But that was just the opening act before the Falcons erupted for 13 runs in the second inning.

The Falcons got contributions across the board, with Dallimore particularly shining with her team-leading 11th homer of the season, a two-run blast after singling home two runs earlier in the frame.

Ally Sparks also had a three-run double, while Marshall had a pair of RBI singles and Mitchell both singled and doubled in a run. Mitchell also scored on a single up the middle by Gale.

That was more than enough runs for the Falcons as Isabelle Schwien blanked the Swedes over four innings with four strikeouts and no walks.

Alex Vick then struck out two in a scoreless fifth inning.

At the top of the lineup, Marshall was the sparkplug with a 4-of-4 effort at the plate with three runs scored. Dallimore drove in four runs and Sparks had three RBIs. Five Falcons recorded at least two hits in the 15-hit attack.

Ella Caudill had two of the Threshers (12-22, 3-13 KCAC) four hits in the second game.  

Next up for the Falcons is a showdown at Ottawa University (30-5, 13-1 KCAC) between the league's top two teams. The Falcons and Braves will square off Tuesday afternoon (Apr. 11) starting at 2 pm in Ottawa, Kan.

"Our lineup is showing consistency 1-9," said Unruh. "We have the speed we need to set the table at the top and power the rest of the way to bring them home!"