March 4, 2009
KISSIMMEE, Fla. - The Bluffton University softball team rallied from four runs down in game one against Adrian before dropping its first game of the season to Catholic University, 1-0, in eight innings. Adrian led 4-0 before the Beavers knotted the game with four runs of their own in the home half of the sixth inning. Junior standout JAYME MARBAUGH (Ohio City/Parkway) capped the come from behind victory with a one-out walk-off homer in the bottom of the seventh for a dramatic 5-4 finish. Two hours later freshman hurler KRISTIN AGAUAS(Bloomfield, Mich./Andover) turned in a stellar four-hit performance, only to have Catholic pull off the 1-0 win in eight innings as Bluffton fell to 5-1 on the season.
BLUFFTON 5, ADRIAN 4
After four shutdown innings by both pitchers to start Wednesday's lidlifter, Adrian struck first in the top of the fifth. A leadoff walk to SARAH HALL, followed a dropped flyball set the table for the Bulldogs. Back-to-back doubles to left center by KRISSY SHEETS and HOLLY LOWEmade it 3-0 before a pair of sixth inning singles coupled with a wild pitch put Adrian up 4-0.
Although Bluffton managed just an EMILY MANAHAN (Columbus/Bishop Watterson) base knock through the first five frames, the wheels started to turn in the bottom of the sixth. LINDSEY MILLER (Wapakoneta) ripped a one-out single and after she was replaced by pinch runner ALLISON RADOMSKI (Fairfield/Cincinnati Christian), junior BROOKE BABCOCK(Findlay) cut the deficit in half with her dinger to right center.
An Adrian error and a KELLIE KENNEY (Toledo/Emmanuel Christian) base hit kept the jag rolling for freshman CHELSIE OSBORN (Chillicothe/Waverly) who moved both runners into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt. Showing the calm and cool of a seasoned veteran, freshman DANIELLE SHORTSLE (Alma, Mich./Alma) promptly sent an Adrian offering to gap in left center, scoring both Kenney and Manahan to make it 4-4 after six innings.
Babcock limited the Bulldogs to a leadoff single in the seventh and Marbaugh ended it with her drive over the fence in left field for the 5-4 victory.
Both teams finished with six hits as Babcock improved to 3-0 with her five-strikeout performance in the circle. She went the distance, giving up four runs, three earned, with three walks in seven innings. She and Shortsle both drove in two runs and Marbaugh pounded the game-winner in the seventh inning.
CATHOLIC 1, BLUFFTON 0 (8 INNINGS)
Seven scoreless innings by Bluffton and Catholic set up the Beavers' first extra inning contest of the season. Bluffton managed just three infield hits through the first seven innings setting the stage for another exciting finish. The Beavers were unable to move Buckmaster from second base in the top of the eighth before a Catholic sacrifice bunt followed by a sacrifice fly dropped Bluffton from the ranks of the unbeaten with a 1-0 setback.
Kristin Agauas was sensational in her second career start, giving up just one unearned run on four hits in 7.1 innings of work on the mound. She had two strikeouts and issued only one free pass. Osborn finished with two singles in the loss.
Bluffton returns to the diamond for a game with Clarke College at 3 p.m. on Thursday, March 5, 2009. It is slated to be played at OCSC Field 5.