March 11, 2002

The Bluffton College softball team got their 2002 season underway last week in Kissimmee, Fla., at the Rebel Spring Games. The Beavers battled several tough opponents in the eight-game event, which was held just outside Orlando, but saw their record slip to 0-8 to start the season.

Freshmen Michelle Pleiman (Yorkshire/Minster H.S.) and Jennifer Summers (Oregon/Clay H.S.) led the squad at the plate during the week, as both players collected six hits, including a double. Pleiman's .375 average was tops on the squad, as was her .438 slugging percentage and .375 on base percentage. Sophomore Stephanie Rush led the squad in RBIs (4) and slugged a double and a triple, while freshman Allison Lange collected two doubles and sophomore Amanda DeVaul smacked a triple.

Other offensive leaders for the Beavers were junior Paul Fry (.267), sophomore Amber Fitzwater (.222) and junior Missy Neal (.214). Senior pitcher Emily Kurtz notched nine strikeouts in 17.1 innings of work and opponents hit just .225 against her. Junior Stacy Herr worked 20.0 innings and fanned eight batters, while freshman Janeen Arps led the pitching staff with a 3.42 ERA during the week in 14.1 innings.

Bluffton hosted Adrian College Wednesday and will host Thomas More College next Wednesday, March 20, at 3 p.m. in a double-header at Marbeck Field.

-BEAVERS-