The Beloit College softball team bounced back from an early loss to Marietta College to defeat Haverford in the afternoon at the Fortune Road Complex in Kissimmee, Florida Monday.
The Buccaneers dropped the first game of the day 16-4 to the hot hitting Pioneers. MC is averaging over 13 runs per game early in the season and got off to a quick start plating five in the first inning. The Bucs didn't fold scoring in three innings in the game with a solo run in each the first and sixth innings and two runs in the bottom of the seventh.
Beloit tallied nine hits in the contest led by two apiece off the bats of Stephannie Lopez, Madi Christine and Ashley Lambert. Lopez added two runs batted in. Alyssa Morris took the loss in the circle for the Bucs.
The Bucs bounced back after a game break to top a Haverford squad that was coming into the game off a win over Marietta. Beloit had their bats going from the first pitch but couldn't push a run across until breaking through in the sixth inning.
Beloit left six runners on over the first three innings and found themselves down a run after the third. In the bottom of the inning, HC notched a one-out single and had two runners on with a walk. A fielder's choice put runners on the corners with two outs. Buccaneer catcher Maty Nowakowski threw down to second for an attempted on the stealing Haverford runner. Shortstop Callie Dutton fielded cleanly and started running the opponent back toward first base, a flip throw had Emily Stapay chasing the runner back towards second. Another flip to Dutton and the pair switched directions once again. The runner from third had already scored during the rundown so Dutton went all out, laying out to just catch the Haverford runner diving back to first with a tag on the heels for the third out of the inning.
The game remained a one-run contest until the Bucs used timely hitting and great pitch selection to put together a big sixth inning. Alyssa Boltik and Stapay each drew walks and advanced into scoring position on a passed ball. A wild pitch had Boltik sliding into home safely and Stapay moving up 60 feet. Makayla Zundel was choosy at the plate and put runners on the corners with another base on balls. After an out, Christine tagged a double to right center that plated two more making it 3-1. Morris followed with a single to left center that had the speedy Christine rounding third and heading for home. The throw came in but not in time and allowed Morris to move up to second. A little bit of déjà vu hit in the next at bat as Dutton made it three straight hits, this one a single to left field that plated Morris and the late throw home allowed Dutton to advance to second.
Lambert took advantage after a change in the circle with a pop up that went over the pitcher's head, landed at the back of the circle and took an odd bounce to make a tough play for the Haverford hurler. Lambert beat out the toss to first to once again put runners on the corners. Nowakowski drew a walk to load the bases with just one out but a caught fly ball and good through to the plate for a double play halted the inning for the Buccaneers. Beloit scored five runs on four hit in the frame to take a 5-1 advantage.
Haverford threatened with two runners on in the bottom of the sixth but the Buc defense tightened up and didn't allow a run. Maddy Pfortmiller came in to close the game and took down the Haverford batters in order to secure the 5-1 win.
Dutton went 3-for-4 in the batter's box to lead Beloit. Christine and Lambert each belted two hits in the game with Christine adding two RBI and a run scored.
Boltik picked up the win in the circle striking out three in six innings of work.
Up Next: the Bucs will face Washington College and Wooster Tuesday afternoon.
