BARTOW, FL – The Beloit College Buccaneers softball team displayed a resilient spirit on Monday, March 9, competing in a challenging doubleheader at the Spring Games. Despite falling short in both contests, Beloit saw standout individual performances and a high-powered late-inning rally that showcased the team's grit.
Game 1: Ohio Wesleyan 9, Beloit 6
The first game of the day was a high-scoring affair against Ohio Wesleyan. Beloit struck first in the top of the first inning when Kaylee Witte (Poplar Grove, IL) reached base, stole third, and eventually scored on a throwing error to give the Bucs a 1-0 advantage.
Ohio Wesleyan's bats came alive in the middle innings, building a 9-2 lead heading into the final frame. Refusing to go quietly, the Buccaneers mounted a massive comeback attempt in the top of the seventh, scoring four runs.
The rally began when Witte singled to right-center to bring home Allison Olson (Sandwich, IL). Minutes later, Sydney Weisman (Brookfield, Wis.) kept the momentum going with an RBI single to center, scoring Paloma Reyes (Beloit, Wis.). With the bases still threatening, Kaitlyn Nicholson (Roscoe, Ill) delivered the big blow of the inning—a two-run single to right field that drove in Brinley Richards (Piedmont, OK) and Kiley Hansen (Greenville, WI), cutting the deficit to 9-6.
Though the comeback ultimately fell just short, the four-run outburst highlighted the Buccaneers' "never-quit" offensive approach.
Game 2: Penn St.-Behrend 2, Beloit 1
In an afternoon pitcher's duel, the Buccaneers went toe-to-toe with Penn St.-Behrend. Beloit jumped out to an early lead in the bottom of the second inning when Abi Krepelka (Boulder Creek, CA) laced a double to left field, driving home Olson to put the Bucs up 1-0.
Krepelka was a force on both sides of the ball, starting in the circle and holding Penn St.-Behrend scoreless through four innings. However, the Lions managed to scratch across two runs in the top of the fifth—one on a sacrifice fly and another via a hit-by-pitch with the bases loaded—to take a 2-1 lead.
Beloit's defense remained stout, and Richards provided two innings of perfect relief, but the offense couldn't find the equalizer in the final frames.
The Buccaneers have a much deserved day off tomorrow and return to the field on Wednesday to face Dominican (2:45pm ET / 1:45pm CT) and Bowdoin (4:45pm ET / 3:45pm CT)
