MOUNT VERNON, IA – The Beloit College softball team traveled to Van Metre Family Field today for a Midwest Conference doubleheader against Cornell College. While the Buccaneers (3-31, 1-9 MWC) faced a tough challenge against the Rams (17-11, 5-5 MWC), the afternoon was highlighted by a resilient offense and a display of significant power hitting in the second game of the set.
Game One: Beloit 1, Cornell 7
In the opener, the Buccaneers struggled to find a rhythm against Cornell's Daelynn Rhoades, eventually falling 7–1. Despite the score, Beloit saw strong individual performances, particularly from pitcher
Kaylee Witte (Poplar Grove, IL), who threw a complete game.
Offensively, the Bucs were led by Rachel Overocker (Tinley Park, IL), who turned in a multi-hit performance, going 2-for-3 at the plate. Allie Gustafson (Beloit, Wis.) and Qitarra Olson (Onalaska, WI) also contributed to the attack, each connecting for a double.
The Buccaneers refused to be shut out, rallying in the top of the 7th inning. Joey Meyers (Orfordville, Wis.), pinch-running for Overocker, moved into scoring position and eventually crossed the plate when Witte reached on a fielding error by the Cornell shortstop, bringing the final score to 7–1.
Game Two: Beloit 8, Cornell 17 (5 Innings)
The second game saw Beloit's bats come alive in a major way. Although the Rams took the victory 17–8 in a high-scoring affair, the Buccaneers exploded for 12 hits, including two towering home runs that briefly silenced the home crowd.
Kiley Hansen (Greenville, WI) was a bright spot for the Beloit lineup, turning in a perfect 3-for-3 performance at the plate.
In the top of the 2nd inning, Jessalyn Coppe (Niles, IL) delivered the biggest hit of the day, a three-run home run to left-center field that scored Sydney Weisman (Brookfield, Wis.) and Hansen.
Just moments after Coppe's homer in the 2nd, Gustafson kept the momentum swinging with a two-run home run to center field, scoring Witte and capping a massive five-run inning for the Bucs.
In the 4th inning, Ava Wiegel (Argyle, WI) came through with a clutch two-run double to right-center, driving home Gustafson and Witte. Later in the 4th, Avary Briggs (Albany, Wis.) reached on a fielder's choice to earn an RBI, allowing Wiegel to score and bringing Beloit's total to eight runs.
The Buccaneers are at home for the final time this season next Saturday when they host Lake Forest College in a MWC doubleheader. Saaturday's game times are set for 1 and 3. Saturday will also serve as senior day for the Bucs.
