BLUFFTON, Ohio -- The Heidelberg University softball team dropped both halves on a non-conference doubleheader on Thursday, falling to Bluffton University 8-7 in eight innings, and 12-4 in the nightcap.
With the losses, Heidelberg slipped to 5-7 on the season. Bluffton improved to 7-5.
GAME ONE: BLUFFTON 8 HEIDELBERG 7 (8 innings)
Heidelberg started strong in the top of the first, with
Hanna Blasinsky bunting for a single and sprinting to third on a double down the line in right by
Jade Torres. An RBI groundout by
Emma Dean and a fielding error allowed HU to take a 2-0 lead.
The Beavers scored single runs in the second and third to tie, then took the lead with a three-run fifth inning.
Down 5-2, Heidelberg stormed back in the top of the seventh.
Meghan Bame led off with a double, then scored on a double by
Gabbie Stallbaum. After
Halie Monhollen reached via error, Torres tied the game with a two-out, two-run single up the middle. Torres alertly moved to second on a passed ball, which allowed her to score the go-ahead run on a base hit by Dean.
The hosts, however, tied the game in the bottom of the frame.
In the eighth,
Murissa Drown started with a single up the middle and pinch runner
Morgan Woycitzky stole second. With two outs, Stallbaum pulled a single through the right side of the infield, scoring Woycitzky.
Again, Bluffton responded. The Beavers used two hits, two walks, an error and a wild pitch to walk it off with a base hit.
Starter
Caitlin Dems allowed five runs on 10 hits in 4+ innings of work.
GAME TWO: BLUFFTON 12 HEIDELBERG 4 (6 innings)
As they did in the opener, the Student Princes took a 2-0 early in game two. Working in the second inning, Bame reached on an error and Stallbaum singled. A double off the bat of Monhollen plated Bame and a squeeze bunt by Blasinsky scored Stallbaum.
A two-run pinch hit single by
Aubrey Conklin doubled the Heidelberg lead, scoring
Logyn Chamberlin and Dean.
Yet again, Bluffton fought back. The Beavers scored three times in the third and twice in the fourth. With daylight waning, they put up a seven-spot in the sixth and clinched the mercy-rule.
Jessica Voitko, who took the loss in relief in game one, also took the loss in the nightcap. She went 4.2 innings and allowed five runs on four hits.
UP NEXT:
Weather permitting, the Student Princes will play their home opener against Albion College on Sunday. First pitch at Frann's Field is scheduled for 1 p.m.
