March 26, 2016
By: Owen Lugibihl, sports information assistant

Game 1 Stats  I  Game 2 Stats

BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Bluffton University softball team split a set of games with the Calvin College Knights on Saturday, March 26. The Beavers dropped game one, 12-4, but rallied in the sixth to take the nightcap, 3-2. Bluffton’s record stays even at 10-10, while Calvin College now sits at 9-5.

Bluffton’s scoring began in the second inning with a two bagger off the bat of Makenzie Schmidt(Caledonia/River Valley), driving in Brittany Huff (Clayton/Northmont) and making the score 2-1 in favor of the visitors.

The lead was 3-1 heading into the fifth frame, but the Beaver bats caught fire. An Ashley Knippen (Wapakoneta) single up the middle drove in Schmidt. A dropped fly with Jessie Madzia (Massillon/Tuslaw) at the dish plated Knippen and  Kelsey Reeder (Galion/Northmor) pushed home Madzia, giving Bluffton a 4-3 lead heading into the sixth.

The Beavers gave up seven unearned runs through the last two frames, spoiling their chances for a victory as the Beavers dropped a 12-4 decision.

Nicole Thomas (Tontogany/Otsego) gave up seven runs, only two earned, on eight hits in 5.2 innings of work, picking up her second loss of the season (2-2). Madzia and Emily Scupholm (Cuyahoga Falls/Our Lady of the Elms) each tossed 0.2 innings, giving up four runs and one run, respectively, on two hits apiece.

Makenzie Schmidt led the bats for the Beavers, notching two hits and one RBI, while Knippen and Reeder also tallied an RBI apiece.

The nightcap saw Bluffton take their first lead of the game with two runs in the bottom of the sixth en route to a 3-2 victory.

Both teams were held scoreless through the first three innings, but Calvin broke the silence by notching two runs in the top of the fourth. An unearned run by the Beavers in the bottom of the fifth made the score 2-1.

An Ashley Knippen double to left center drove in Mercedes Burns (Ashtabula/Edgewood) to even the score at 2-2. A double by Schmidt sent Knippen to third before she crossed the plate on a bunt single from Kelsey Reeder, giving Bluffton its first lead of the game and sealing their eventual victory.

Emily Scupholm gave up two runs and six hits in her complete game victory over the Knights while earning her sixth win of the season.

Kelsey Reeder led the offense for the Beavers, notching two hits, a run, and an RBI. Ashley Knippen also added a hit and an RBI in the victory.

The Beavers return to action on Tuesday, March 29, in a home matchup against the Olivet Comets. The first pitch is set for 3:30 p.m. Come out and support your Bluffton University Beavers! 

-BEAVERS-