March 19, 2016
By: Colton Steiner, sports information assistant
BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Bluffton University softball team hosted the Capital University Crusaders in a chilly Saturday afternoon double header. The Beavers fell 1-0 in game one but fought back and got a win in game two, picking up a 3-1 victory despite scoring in just one inning during the twin-bill. Bluffton goes to 7-7 with the split while Capital’s record sits at 6-8 overall.
The lidlifter started with the Crusaders getting on board in the top of the first inning. The Beavers played great defensively after the first frame, notching 17 groundouts in the opener. They were unable to convert offensively, however, as the Crusaders made the early run stand up.
Leading the Beavers at the plate was JESSIE MADZIA (Massillon/Tuslaw) who went 2-for-3 in game one. Also collecting hits were BRITTANY HUFF (Clayton/Northmont) and KELSEY REEDER (Galion/Northmor).
Dealing on the mound for Bluffton was Madzia who went all seven innings and allowed just the one unearned run. Madzia struck out two batters with no walks in her 68 pitches thrown.
The second game opened up with Capital cracking the scoring column in the second inning as they would take a 1-0 lead. Both teams were quiet through the middle innings before the Beavers finally ended their scoreless drought in the bottom of the sixth after an RBI single by KELSI WILSON (Pataskala/Licking Heights) picked up ASHLEY KNIPPEN (Wapakoneta) and evened the score at 1-1.
MERCEDES BURNS (Ashtabula/Edgewood) gave Bluffton its first lead of the game with a groundout to second that plated CHELSEA ZOLTOWSKI (Sylvania/Southview) for a 2-1 lead. An RBI single by CARLY LEVINDOFSKE (Brunswick/Magnificat) made it 3-1 after six innings. The Beavers finished off the victory when Capital popped into a game-ending double play.
Carly Levindofske led the charge for the Beavers, going 2-for-2 with an RBI. Kelsey Reeder added two hits, while Kelsi Wilson scored once, collected a hit and also picked up an RBI in the win.
Getting it done in the circle was EMILY SCUPHOLM (Cuyahoga Falls/Our Lady of the Elms) who allowed only one unearned run on four Capital hits. Netting a total of 68 pitches, Scupholm struck out one and walked a batter.
Bluffton will be right back at it when they make the short trip to Ada for a matchup with Ohio Northern on Tuesday, March 22 at 3 p.m. The Beavers then host Heidelberg on Wednesday, March 23, with the first pitch set at 3:30. You can follow all the action on our twitter page @bluffton_sports.
-BEAVERS-
