March 25, 2017
By: Colton Steiner, sports information assistant
BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Bluffton Beaver softball team hit the field for the second day in a row to take on Albion College on a pleasantly warm spring morning. Great pitching and solid offensive play by the Beavers was key as they rolled to an 8-0 mercy-rule victory in game one and a 7-0 win in the second game. The sweep of the Britons pushed Bluffton to 12-4 on the season following three straight shutouts. Albion dipped to 6-10 on the season.
Bluffton opened the scoring with an RBI single by CAYLIN MORSTADT (Delaware/Rutherford B. Hayes) for a quick 1-0 lead. The Beavers made it 3-0 after a two-run single up the middle by CHELZEA ZOLTOWSKI (Sylvania/Southview).
The home team tacked on three more runs in the bottom of the second when BRITTANY HUFF (Clayton/Northmont) crushed a three-run shot to left field, giving her four home runs on the season. Bluffton made it 7-0 in the fourth after an RBI two-bagger from JOSIE McELROY (Mt. Orab/Western Brown). The home team walked off with a run-rule victory in the sixth after a bomb to straightaway center by McElroy!
Brittany Huff led the way for the Beavers, going 3-of-4 with three RBI and three runs scored. Josie McElroy and Chelsea Zoltowski each collected a pair of hits to go along with two RBI apiece.
Taking care of business on the mound for Bluffton was NICOLE THOMAS (Tontogany/Otsego) who pitched a complete game shutout and improved to 4-2 on the season. Thomas allowed only four hits in the contest and fanned four batters in the process.
Bluffton broke the drought in the third inning of game two, exploding for five runs in the bottom half of the frame. The Beavers plated single runs off hits by JESSIE MADZIA (Massillon/Tuslaw) and CARLY LEVINDOFSKE (Brunswick/Magnificat) before freshman Caylin Morstadt went yard, giving her two home runs in as many days! The Beavers added a tally in the fifth after an RBI by KELSEY REEDER (Galion/Northmor). The home team added another run in the sixth thanks to an error by the Britons as they cruised to a 7-0 win.
Makenzie Schmidt (Caledonia/River Valley) led the way for the Beavers as she smacked a team-high three hits in the contest. Bluffton freshman Caylin Morstadt was 2-of-4 with three RBI and Carly Levindofske added two hits and an RBI.
EMILY SCUPHOLM (Cuyahoga Falls/Our Lady of the Elms) pitched a gem for her fiery Bluffton squad, allowing only three infield hits in the victory. She improved to 6-1 on the season and struck out three batters in the complete game shutout.
Next up for Bluffton is a home game against local rival Ohio Northern on Tuesday, March 28. With a 3 p.m. start time, the Beavers hope to continue their winning streak against the 15-1 Polar Bears. Come out and support your Bluffton softball team!
-BEAVERS-
