BARTOW, Fla. – The Beloit College softball team wrapped up its Wednesday slate in Florida with a pair of tough contests against Dominican University (Ill.) and Bowdoin College. While the Buccaneers faced a difficult day on the scoreboard, several key players delivered standout performances as the team continues to build momentum during its spring road trip.
Game One: Dominican (Ill.) 8, Beloit 0
In the afternoon opener, the Buccaneers (1-9, 0-0 MWC) struggled to find a rhythm against a potent Dominican offense, eventually falling 8-0 in five innings. Despite the loss, shortstop Qitarra Olson (Onalaska, WI) provided a massive spark at the plate. Olson was perfect on the day, finishing 2-for-2 and showing off her speed by swiping her sixth stolen base of the season.
Sydney Weisman (Brookfield, Wis.) also contributed to the offensive effort with a sharp single up the middle in the third inning. On the mound, Samantha Friedrichsohn (Waukesha, WI) grinded through three innings, striking out one and keeping the Buccaneers within striking distance through the early frames.
Game Two: Bowdoin 13, Beloit 2
The nightcap against Bowdoin College saw the Buccaneers' offense find its stride early, though a late-inning surge by Bowdoin eventually pulled the game away.
The story of the game was the connection between Kaylee Witte (Poplar Grove, IL) and Allie Gustafson (Beloit, Wis.). Witte was a force at the top of the lineup, finishing 2-for-3 with a double and accounting for both of Beloit's runs. Gustafson was the engine that drove them home, going 2-for3 with an RBI single in the first inning and a booming RBI double in the third.
After Kaylee Witte reached on a leadoff single, G Calderon (Winthrop Harbor, IL) executed a perfect sacrifice bunt to move her into scoring position. Allie Gustafson then laced a single to right field, driving Witte home to give Beloit an early boost.
In the third, Witte stayed hot with a double to right-center. Gustafson followed suit, clobbering a double of her own to right field to trade places with Witte and notch her second RBI of the game.
The Buccaneers' defense flashed the leather in the fourth inning. Following a walk, Madisen Butler grounded one to second base where Joey Meyers (Orfordville, Wis.) and Rachel Overocker (Tinley Park, IL) combined to turn a smooth double play, clearing the bases and ending the Bowdoin threat.
The Buccaneers are back in action tomorrow against Washington College (Md.) (11:15am ET / 10:15am CT) and Carroll University (1:45pm ET / 12:45pm CT). Tomorrow's games will be played at DiamondPlex in Winter Haven, Florida.
