BARTOW, Fla. – The Beloit College softball team took the field for their fourth day at THE Spring Games this afternoon. The Buccaneers (0-10, 0-0 MWC) dropped games to Lakeland (3-2, 0-0 NACC) and Wittenberg (6-2, 0-0 NCAC). The Bucs fell in game one to Lakeland 4-8 and to Wittenberg 3-4 in game two.
Game 1:
The Muskies came out strong in the first inning, scoring four runs. The team continued to extend their lead, accumulating a total of eight runs by the end of the sixth inning. The Bucs managed to score only one run in the third inning before mounting a late rally in the seventh, but it was not enough to catch up to Lakeland's lead.
Key players for Beloit College included Angela Donath (Wausau, Wis.) who recorded a single and stole three bases. Kaitlyn Nicholson (Roscoe, Ill) contributed with a single and an RBI, while Briana Arteaga (Covina, Calif.) managed a single. Despite their efforts, Beloit College struggled with defensive errors, committing three errors throughout the game. Avary Briggs (Albany, Wis.) got the start, pitching one inning and allowing seven runs on eight hits. Samantha Friedrichsohn (Waukesha, WI) pitched five innings in relief.
Game 2:
Beloit's offense initially struggled to get going in game two, but the team found its footing in the fourth and fifth innings. Down 2-0, the Buccaneers got on the board in the bottom of the fourth when Siddalee Meyers (Orfordville, Wis.) reached first base on an error, allowing Allison Olson (Sandwich, IL) to advance to second and Kaylee Witte (Poplar Grove, IL) to score an unearned run.
The fifth inning saw Beloit College surge back into contention, scoring two runs. Witte delivered a clutch single to shortstop, driving in Lizzie Paschal (Holbrook, AZ) after he advanced to second and Arteaga reached third. Later in the inning, Allie Gustafson (Beloit, Wis.) drew a bases-loaded walk, bringing Witte home and tying the game.
The Buccaneers' offense was sparked by Witte, who drove in a run and went 3-for-4 at the plate. Gustafson also contributed with an RBI.
The Bucs round out their time in Florida tomorrow morning when they face New England College at 8 am CT and North Park at 10:30 am CT. Both games will be played at DiamondPlex in Winter Haven, Florida.
