CLERMONT, Florida -- On Friday afternoon -- their penultimate day of the 2020 season -- the Heidelberg University softball team split a doubleheader with Husson and Western New England. 

With the Ohio Athletic Conference's decision to cancel the rest of the athletic calendar in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, Friday's doubleheader proved to be the eve of the premature end of their season. Many student-athletes, coaches, and families saw their hopes of a much improved season dashed barely before they started. 

Prior to the game against Husson, Heidelberg recognized their eight seniors alongside Husson's senior class for their contributions to their respective programs. Leah Bouillon, Kennedy Conney, Bailee Faulkner, Shelby Miller, Casey Moore, Kaitlyn Moore, Bethany Redman, and Grace Turner were recognized alongside families and friends for the Student Princes. 

In the doubleheader split, Heidelberg collected a combined 16 hits, led by four each from Hanna Blasinsky, Shelby Miller and Bethany Redman. Blasinsky had a career day at the plate, going a combined 4-for-7, with one RBI, and four runs scored. Miller was 4-for-5 at the dish with two RBIs, two runs scored, and three walks. Redman was a combined 4-for-8 with two RBIs and one run scored. 

HUSSON - 4   HEIDELBERG - 3
In game one, the Student Princes got on the board in the top of the first with two runs. Miller drew an opening walk, Redman singled, and Casey Moore walked to load the bases. Bailee Faulkner then was responsible for driving home Redman and Miller with a two out RBI down the right field line. 

However, Husson halted the Berg's lead in the bottom of the second with three runs on a bases clearing double from Bri Brochu. 

As the game progressed to the top of the seventh, HU remained trailing 3-2. With two outs, Blasinsky doubled down the left field line to get in scoring position. Two batters later, Redman singled to center to score Blasinsky from second, tying the game. 

Unfortunately for the Student Princes, a lead off single from Brochu proved costly as a throwing error allowed Brochu to score from first for the game winning run. 

Kaitlyn Moore (3-2) was saddled with the loss after pitching 6.0 innings and surrendering eight hits and four runs (three earned). Moore did show command in the circle, striking out nine Husson batters. 

HEIDELBERG - 6   WESTERN NEW ENGLAND - 2
The Student Princes got out to a slow start in game two, but got on the board first with three runs in the bottom of the third inning. Leading off the inning, Kennedy Conney doubled to right center and came around to score on Blasinsky's double down the left field line. With Blasinsky at second, Miller singled through the right side to allow the freshman to jaunt home. Two batters after Miller's RBI single, Casey Moore reached on an error that enabled Miller to score. 

In the bottom of the fourth, HU kept the bats going as they added two more runs. Leah Bouillon started the inning with a one out double down the left field line and advanced to third on Blasinsky's single. Miller once again stepped up and slapped a single to left field, scoring Bouillon. Still with one out on the board, Redman grounded out to short to enable Blasinsky to sprint home for the 5-0 lead. 

Western New England answered back with two runs in the top of the fifth, but Heidelberg sealed the deal with a run in the bottom half of the sixth. Blasinsky led off the inning with a single to left center, before moving around on singles from Miller and Redman. Casey Moore then drilled a deep fly that was good enough to score Blasinsky for the final insurance run. 

In the top of the seventh, starting pitcher, Stephanie Drapp (4-1) worked around a lead off single to shut the door on the WNE batters. In total, Drapp hurled seven innings and conceded 12 hits, two runs and one walk. Drapp did strikeout two. 

INSIDE THE BOX:
Bethany Redman is hitting .480 on the season with 12 hits and seven RBIs. Shelby Miller is close behind with a .423 average on 11 hits and three runs batted in. 

Hanna Blasinsky has scored more runs (11) than she has hits (10) on the year. Additionally, Blasinsky leads the team with three stolen bases and six walks. 

Heading into their final day of the season, it is still confirmed that Stephanie Drapp is still not tired. 

LOOKING AHEAD: 
After numerous schedule changes and adjustments, the Student Princes will conclude their 2020 season on Saturday with a two game slate. Both games will take place at Hancock Recreational Complex. At 9:15 a.m. HU will square off with Nichols on field 4 before taking on Bridgewater State at 11:30 a.m. on field 5.