MOUNT VERNON, Iowa - The Beloit College Softball team traveled to Mount Vernon, Iowa to kick off the Midwest Conference portion of their 2025 season. The Buccaneers (2-22, 0-2 MWC) fell in both games to the Cornell College Rams ((10-9, 2-0 MWC), 3-15 (5) and 3-11 (5).
Game 1:
Beloit scattered five hits across the five-inning contest. The Buccaneers broke through in the top of the third inning. Angela Donath (Wausau, Wis.) led off with a double down the left-field line and promptly stole third. After a walk to Rachel Overocker (Tinley Park, IL), pitcher Avary Briggs (Albany, Wis.) helped her own cause, singling to center field to drive in Donath for Beloit's first run, cutting the deficit to 6-1 at the time.
The Buccaneers mounted another rally in the top of the fifth. After Overocker reached on a fielder's choice (with pinch-runner Lizzie Paschal (Holbrook, AZ) taking over), Lylah Murrah (North Pole, AK) drew a walk. Kaitlyn Nicholson (Roscoe, Ill) then delivered a clutch single down the right-field line, scoring both Paschal and Donath (who had walked earlier) to make it 15-3.
Donath was a spark plug for Beloit, going 1-for-2 with a double, a walk, two stolen bases, and scoring two of the team's three runs. Nicholson finished 1-for-2 with two RBI, while Briggs went 1-for-1 with an RBI. Hannah Beran (Calendonia, Ill.) and Briana Arteaga (Covina, Calif.) also recorded singles for the Buccaneers.
However, Cornell's offense proved overwhelming, scoring in each of the first four innings, including a four-run first and a seven-run fourth. The Rams pounded out 18 hits, including two home runs and three doubles.
Kaylee Witte (Poplar Grove, IL) started in the circle for Beloit and took the loss, allowing five earned runs in 1.1 innings. Briggs pitched 2.1 innings in relief, giving up 10 runs (only two earned) on 11 hits, hindered by defensive miscues as Beloit committed three errors in the game. Samantha Friedrichsohn (Waukesha, WI) faced one batter in the fourth, inducing a foul out.
Game 2:
Despite a powerful three-run home run from catcher Allison Olson (Sandwich, IL), the Bucs could not overcome the early deficit.
The Buccaneers faced an uphill battle after Cornell jumped out to leads of 2-0 after the first inning and 4-0 after the second. The Rams extended their advantage significantly in the bottom of the third, plating six runs aided by five hits and two Beloit fielding errors, making the score 10-0.
Beloit mounted its strongest offensive push in the top of the fourth inning. After Witte reached base and pinch-runner Joey Meyers (Orfordville, Wis.) advanced following a single by Jocelyn Jordan (Beloit, Wis.) and a Cornell error, Olson delivered the big hit. Olson drove a pitch over the center field fence for a three-run homer, her first of the game, instantly cutting the deficit to 10-3 and bringing life to the Buccaneer dugout. The blast scored Witte and Meyers (running for Jordan).
However, Cornell added one more run in the bottom of the fourth to reach the final 11-3 margin.
Olson was the offensive standout for Beloit, going 2-for-2 at the plate with the home run and driving in all three of the team's runs. Donath added a single and a stolen base, while Jordan also contributed a base hit.
Friedrichsohn pitched the first two innings for Beloit, allowing six earned runs on five hits, including two home runs. Helena Harrison (Chapel Hill, N.C.) pitched the final two innings in relief, surrendering five runs (only one earned) on seven hits. The Beloit defense committed two errors on the day.
The Buccaneers stay in Iowa and the MWC tomorrow when they visit Grinnell. First pitch against the Pioneers is set for 1 pm.
