By Ben Risinger, sports information director
March 16, 2005

BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Bluffton University softball team (5-3) split their doubleheader with Ohio Northern on March 16. The Polar Bears took the first game 4-2 with the Beavers picking up the win in the nightcap 2-1.

The Beavers held on to a one run lead for most of game one until the top of the seventh inning when Ohio Northern's bats came alive. The Polar Bears scored four runs in the top of the inning to go up 4-1. Bluffton gave it all they had in the bottom of the seventh to score one run, but could not come away with the victory. Ohio Northern took the first game 4-2.

Leading Bluffton offensively in the contest was senior MANDY SNIDER(Wapakoneta/Wapakoneta) and sophomore CARRIE WEISBECKER (Okeana/Ross) with two hits each. Junior pitcher SARAH BETTS (Bryan/Bryan) picked up her third loss of the year on the mound. Betts struck out four batters and gave up nine hits in the outing.

Ohio Northern snuck out to a quick lead 1-0 in the top of the second in game two. Senior MICHELLE PLEIMAN (Yorkshire/Minster) then belted out a one-run homer in the bottom of the fifth to tie the game at one all. In the bottom of the sixth, Mandy Snider was walked and then scored the winning run off of an error by ONU's first baseman. The Beavers came away with the win in game two 2-1.

Freshman TONYA DEAN (Kettering/Fairmount) picked up her first collegiate victory on the mound in the nightcap. Dean struck out one, walked one batter and gave up five hits in the game.

Bluffton University will be back in action this Saturday, March 19, when they travel to Adrian College. The doubleheader is scheduled for 1 p.m.