By Ben Risinger, sports information director
April 27, 2005

BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Bluffton University softball team (17-8, 4-3 HCAC) split their Heartland Conference doubleheader with rival Defiance College (20-12, 10-2 HCAC) on April 27.  The Yellow Jackets won game one 3-2 in eight innings with the Beavers picking up the nightcap 9-5.

Bluffton got the scoring started in the first inning of game one when senior ALLISON LANGE(Archbold/Archbold) batted in senior MANDY SNIDER (Wapakoneta/Wapakoneta) to go up 1-0. The Yellow Jackets tied the game in the fourth at one all and went up 3-1 in the top of the eighth inning. Bluffton scored one run in the bottom of the eighth for the 3-2 final.

Allison Lange led the team in the first game as she went 4-for-4 at the plate with two doubles, one run scored and one RBI. Senior LANE LEEDY (Bellville/Clear Fork) went 2-for-3 in the contest. Senior MICHELLE PLEIMAN (Yorkshire/Minster) hit one double in game one. Junior pitcher SARAH BETTS (Bryan/Bryan) received the loss on the mound to take her record to 11-5. Betts gave up five hits, walked one and struck out seven batters.

Defiance led game two 2-0 after the top of the first only to find the Beavers storm right back to take the lead 3-2 in the bottom half of the inning. Defiance then scored three runs in the top of the third to finish off their scoring for the game. Bluffton posted runs over the bottom of the third and fourth innings for the 9-5 final.

Mandy Snider, Allison Lange and Michelle Pleiman hit home runs in game two as the Beavers posted 11 total hits in the outing. Bluffton's other extra base hits came from Snider and sophomore CARRIE WEISBECKER (Okeana/Ross) who posted one double each. Sarah Betts (12-5) picked up the win as she gave up six hits and walked one batter.

The Beavers will be back in action on April 28 when they host Transylvania University for their HCAC doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.