GRINNELL, Iowa – The Beloit College softball team showcased offensive firepower, but ultimately fell in both games on the road against Grinnell College in a Midwest Conference matchup at the Grinnell Softball Complex on Sunday. The Buccaneers (2-24, 0-4 MWC) fell 4-12 (6 Innings) and 1-9 (5 Innings) to the Pioneers (5-19, 2-2 MWC).
Game 1:
Despite the loss, the Buccaneers saw standout performances at the plate, particularly from shortstop Angela Donath (Wausau, Wis.) and center fielder Siddalee Meyers (Orfordville, Wis.) who both went a perfect 3-for-3.
After Grinnell plated two runs in the bottom of the first, the Bucs answered and took the lead with a three-run rally in the top of the second inning. Kaylee Witte (Poplar Grove, IL) led off with a single, and pinch runner Paloma Reyes (Beloit, Wis.) eventually scored the game's first run on an RBI fielder's choice by Lylah Murrah (North Pole, AK). After Murrah stole second, Meyers singled her home to tie the game at 2-2. Meyers then came around to score on an RBI single from Donath, giving Beloit a 3-2 advantage. Both the runs scored by Reyes and Meyers in the inning were unearned due to an earlier Grinnell error.
Grinnell responded quickly, scoring single runs in the second and two in the third to retake the lead, 5-3.
The Beloit offense added another run in the top of the sixth. Jessalyn Coppe (Niles, IL) led off with a single to center field. Meyers followed with her third hit, a single through the left side, and Hannah Beran (Calendonia, Ill.) loaded the bases with a single to right. Donath then delivered her third hit and second RBI of the game, singling to third base to score Coppe and cut the deficit to 7-4.
However, Grinnell's offense proved too potent, answering with five runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to put the game out of reach and seal the 12-4 victory.
On the mound, Helena Harrison (Chapel Hill, N.C.) started for Beloit, pitching 4.0 innings and allowing seven runs on seven hits while striking out two. Witte pitched the final 1.2 innings in relief.
Game 2:
The Buccaneers manufactured their run in the top of the second inning to seize an early 1-0 lead. Catcher Allie Gustafson (Beloit, Wis.) got things started with a single to right field. First baseman Rachel Overocker (Tinley Park, IL) followed with a single to center, advancing Gustafson to third. Lizzie Paschal (Holbrook, AZ) came on to pinch run for Overocker. After a groundout moved Paschal to second, second baseman Avary Briggs (Albany, Wis.) grounded out to shortstop, scoring Gustafson for the game's first run.
However, the Beloit lead was short-lived. Grinnell was held scoreless through the first two frames but broke through in the bottom of the third, plating five runs on five hits, including triples by Kayla O'Malley and Lindsey Schultz, and a two-RBI double by Lexie Herrick.
Grinnell added four more runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to invoke the run rule and end the contest. Herrick delivered another RBI double, and O'Malley capped the scoring with her own run-scoring double.
Samantha Friedrichsohn (Waukesha, WI) started for Beloit and pitched 4.1 innings, allowing eight runs on eight hits, walking two and striking out one. Harrison recorded the final batter for the Bucs.
The Bucs return to the Strong Stadium Softball Complex on Saturday, April 12th to host Illinois College for a MWC doubleheader. First pitch is set for 1 pm.
