The Heidelberg University Softball team moved to day three of The Spring Games, taking on Illinois College and Aurora University. The Berg went 1-1 on the day, and moved to 4-2 to start the year.

Game 1: Illinois College 12, Heidelberg 5

Heidelberg came out aggressive, with Gabbie Stallbaum stealing home in the first inning to give the Berg an early 1-0 lead. The offense stayed hot, piling up 13 hits, and breaking the game open in the fourth inning. Ellie Tressler laced an RBI double, bringing Sammie Trimpey home to extend the lead. Moments later, Aubrey Conklin delivered the biggest hit of the day, crushing a three-run double, pushing Heidelberg's advantage to 5-0.

However, the momentum shifted in the fifth, as Illinois College erupted for nine runs in the inning, part of 12 unanswered runs that flipped the game on its head. Despite a strong start from Kamryn Rastigue, Heidelberg's pitching staff struggled to contain the late offensive surge, allowing 12 runs on 12 hits and five walks.

Game 2: Heidelberg 5, Aurora 1

After a scoreless first, Heidelberg erupted for four runs in the second inning, capitalizing on key hits and aggressive baserunning. Emma Dean reached on an error to lead off the frame, and Hannah Hashman entered as a pinch-runner, immediately making an impact. Aubrey Conklin executed a perfect sacrifice bunt, moving Hashman into scoring position.

Jade Torres then ignited the rally, roping a single to left and advancing to second on the throw, pushing Hashman to third. With two runners in scoring position, Lillie Robeson delivered, smacking a single up the middle, driving in Hashman for the game's first run. As Aurora scrambled to recover, Robeson advanced to second and Torres moved up to third, keeping the pressure on.

With two outs, Leah Arnett made her presence known, crushing a two-run double to right-center, plating Torres and Robeson to make it 3-0. The Berg didn't stop there as Sammie Trimpey followed with a clutch single through the right side, bringing home Arnett and capping off the four-run inning.

Heidelberg kept the momentum rolling in the third, tacking on another run. Gabbie Stallbaum worked a leadoff walk, setting the table for more damage. After Megan Miller moved Stallbaum into scoring position with a groundout, Torres came through again, ripping an RBI single to right field, bringing Stallbaum home and extending the lead to 5-0.

In the circle, Taylor Forrest dominated once more, allowing just five hits over seven innings while allowing just one run. Aurora's only breakthrough came in the fourth inning, when an error allowed a baserunner to reach and eventually score.

The Berg is back in action on Friday, March 7 against Neumann at 9:00 a.m. and then against Mount St Joseph at 11:15 a.m. Both games are DiamondPlex in Winter Haven, FL.