By Riordan McClain, SID assistant
April 7, 2003

The Bluffton College softball team battled on the road in three Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference double-headers at Anderson, Franklin and Hanover. The Beavers went 2-4 in that span, beating Franklin twice but falling at Anderson and Hanover twice.

In the first two games of the week Bluffton dropped both games of a double-header to Anderson (7-6, 7-1). The Beavers then turned around and took both games at Franklin (3-2, 10-2) on Saturday. To end the week Bluffton traveled to Hanover on Sunday and lost two games (6-2, 3-1). Bluffton's record currently stands at 8-14 overall, and 2-4 in the HCAC.

Senior Missy Neal leads Bluffton in batting average (.317), triples (3), and slugging pct. (.463), while sophomore Allison Lange now leads in hits (17), total bases (26), and home runs (1).

Freshman Jessica Rosengarten leads the pitching staff with a 2.42 ERA in 17.1 innings pitched, while freshman Sarah Betts is close behind with a 2.57 ERA and 63 strikeouts in 73.2 innings.

In the double-header against Anderson Lange had four hits including a home run in the first game while Betts struck out 11 through nine innings. Against Franklin Mandy Snider and Michelle Pleiman both produced four hits in two wins behind strong pitching performances from Betts, Jenny Lehman, and Rosengarten. Stephanie Rush had three hits in two games but the Beavers were beaten in both games of the double-header against Hanover on Sunday.