The scores were identical but the outcomes different as the Beloit College softball team split a doubleheader to Lawrence University in the Buccaneers' final twinbill of the season. The Vikings took game one 4-3 with Beloit coming back to top Lawrence 4-3 in the bottom of the seventh to wrap up 2021 with a win. The Bucs were scheduled to end the season on the road with a pair of games at Knox Sunday but forecasted inclement weather caused the Prairie Fire to cancel the games.
The Bucs had no shortage of opportunities in the first game leaving 13 out on the basepaths in the game. The Vikings took an early lead with a single run in the top of the first but Beloit had the answer plating two in the bottom of the frame.
Alyssa Morris drew an RBI base on balls for Beloit's first run of the game.
Kaitlynn Taft took one for the team with the bases loaded to give Beloit a 2-1.
Lawrence came back in the top of the second to reclaim the lead with three runs. The Bucs blanked the Vikings the rest of the way adding a run on offense in the fourth but were unable to push the tying run across the plate.
Briana Arteaga and
Makayla Zundel led the Bucs at the plate tallying two hits apiece.
Maddy Pfortmiller suffered the loss in the circle going the distance while striking out six and walking a pair.
Game two was a defensive battle with the Beloit breaking the stalemate with a single run in the bottom of the fifth on an
Isabel Johnson walk.
The Vikings responded with three runs in the top of the sixth and after a scoreless bottom of six and top of seven, the Bucs were down to their final set of outs.
Zundel singled to left center with one out to spark the offense. Johnson followed with a base knock of her own and Arteaga made it three straight. A miscue on Arteaga's hit brought in one run to make it 4-2 as the Vikings made a change in the circle.
Emily Stapay walked after the pitching change to load the bases.
Maddie Moser put the ball in ball grounding to the pitcher as Johnson sped toward the plate from third. The throw pulled the catcher to her right as Johnson was safe at the plate. As the ball caromed off the catcher's mitt and to the back stop, Arteaga came flying around third and slid into home to secure an astonishing comeback win for the Bucs.
Stapay and Taft each registered a pair of hits in the game to lead the Beloit offense.
Cora Aubert improved to 6-6 on the season with a complete game win in the circle. She struck out five and walked a pair in the win.
