KENOSHA, Wis. – The Beloit College Buccaneers displayed a resilient offensive effort on Sunday afternoon, battling through a non-conference doubleheader against Carthage College at Wiers Family Stadium. While the Buccaneers (2-20, 0-0 MWC) ultimately fell in both contests, the games were highlighted by explosive scoring innings and standout individual performances from the Beloit lineup.
Game One: Beloit 6, Carthage 15
In the opening game of the day, Beloit proved they could trade punches with the Firebirds (9-9, 0-0 CCIW), nearly erasing a large early deficit with a massive five-run third inning.
After falling behind 2-0, Beloit got on the board in the second inning. Allison Olson (Sandwich, IL) reached on a single and was replaced by pinch-runner Qitarra Olson (Onalaska, WI), who eventually crossed the plate on a productive RBI groundout by Avary Briggs (Albany, Wis.).
The Buccaneers' offense truly ignited in the top of the third. After Paloma Reyes (Beloit, Wis.) drew a walk, Allie Gustafson (Beloit, Wis.) crushed an RBI double down the right-field line to narrow the gap. The pressure continued as an error by the Carthage third baseman allowed both Gustafson and Kaylee Witte (Poplar Grove, IL) to score, making it a 7-4 game. Beloit wasn't finished, as Kaitlyn Nicholson (Roscoe, Ill) delivered the hit of the inning—a clutch two-RBI single to left field that brought home Lizzie Paschal (Holbrook, AZ) and A. Olson, pulling the Buccaneers within a single run at 7-6.
The Firebirds added one run in the bottom of the fifth and effectively closed the door with six runs in the bottom of the fifth.
Game Two: Beloit 4, Carthage 12
The second half of the twin bill saw Beloit continue to fight, using a balanced attack in the late innings to put pressure on the Firebirds' pitching staff.
The highlight of the game for the Buccaneers came in the fourth inning. Following a walk by A. Olson and a fielder's choice by Kiley Hansen (Greenville, WI), Paschal stepped to the plate and cleared the bases with a towering triple to right-center. The three-bagger drove in both Reyes and Hansen, providing Beloit with a major momentum boost.
Beloit added two more runs in the fifth inning. Joey Meyers (Orfordville, Wis.) sparked the rally with a single, followed by a pinch-hit RBI single from Lylah Murrah (North Pole, AK) that scored Briggs. Witte then followed suit with an RBI single of her own to bring home Meyers.
Defensively, Briggs showed her versatility, logging 4.2 innings in the circle and striking out three batters while also contributing a hit and a run at the plate.
The Buccaneers head to Elmhurst for a midweek doubleheader on Wednesday. First pitch from Salt Creek Park is set for 3 pm.
