BELOIT, Wis. - Beloit and Ripon split a softball doubleheader Wednesday morning with each team winning by an identical 7-3 score. The Buccaneers won the first game of the day, before Ripon took the second game of the doubleheader.

Ripon (13-22, 4-10 MWC) broke a scoreless tie in the first game with two runs in the top of the fourth, scoring on a throwing error and an RBI single up the middle by Kayla Cruz. Beloit (9-27, 1-13 MWC) then answered with all seven of their runs coming on six hits in the bottom of the fourth. Sydney Harbison got the scoring started with an RBI double, which allowed Angela Donath to score. The Bucs then tied the game on an RBI single by Jocelyn Jordan. The big blow came later in the inning with the bases loaded when Briana Arteaga cleared the bases with a double to deep left center to give Beloit a 5-2 lead. Maddie Moser would add an RBI single in that inning, and would later score on a throwing error. Ripon would score just one more run, coming in the fifth, as Beloit coasted to victory.

Arteaga and Donath led the Bucs with two hits apiece. Seven different Beloit players scored a run in the game. Helena Harrison (3-2) allowed just two runs on four hits, while striking out two to earn the win. Kaylee Witte recorded her first collegiate save, allowing one run in the final three innings of the contest.

Game two saw Ripon jump on the board first once more with an Abby Gilbertson two-run homer to right field in the top of the first. Gilbertsn added an RBI single in the second, which was followed by a two-run double to left by Anna Bauer. Beloit then got on the board in the bottom of the second on an RBI single by Jordan. Donath added an RBI double in the third to cut the lead to three, but that's as close as the Buccaneers would get the rest of the game. Ripon drew a bases loaded walk and produced an RBI single in the fourth to extend their lead. Moser stole home for the Bucs in the fifth, but that's all the runs they could muster.

Moser led Beloit with a 2-for-3 performance at the plate. Witte pitched well again in relief, pitching three scoreless innings of relief, while allowing just three hits and striking out a pair.

The Buccaneers will bring their 2023 season to a close on Sunday when they'll host Lawrence University. That doubleheader will begin at 1 p.m. at the Strong Complex in Beloit, Wis.