By Ben Risinger, sports information director
May 6, 2005

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - The Bluffton University softball team (22-12) lost one game and won two in the first day of the 2005 HCAC softball tournament. The Beavers dropped the first game to Anderson 6-2, defeated Hanover 8-0 in five innings and won their third game 7-1.

Bluffton University will play Anderson University in the losers bracket at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 7.

Senior ALLISON LANGE led the Beavers in the first game as she went 2-for-3 with a double and a two run homer. Senior LANE LEEDY posted a double to round off the extra base hits in the contest. Junior SARAH BETTS received the loss on the mound as she walked two and struck out seven batters. Anderson won the first game of the tournament 6-2.

The Beavers easily defeated Hanover in game two 8-0 in six innings. Sophomore CARRIE WEISBECKER and Leedy posted two hits and two RBI's each in the contest.  Weisbecker also hit Bluffton's only extra base hit of the game with a double. Freshman pitcher TONYA DEANpicked up the win as she gave up five hits and struck out one. Dean is now 7-2 for the year.

Bluffton defeated Mount St. Joseph 7-1 in the final game of the evening. Lange led the team again as she went 3-for-4 with one run and two RBI's and a double. Leedy went 2-for-3 in the game. Betts received the pitching win to take her record to 15-9 for the year. Betts gave up six hits, walked three and struck out four batters.