By: Brandy Bidlack, sports information assistant
March 28, 2009
BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Bluffton University softball team dominated the first game of the doubleheader and continued its superb play in a sweep of pre-season HCAC favorite Rose-Hulman on Saturday, March 28, 2009. The Beavers are now 2-0 in the Heartland Conference and 15-7 overall, while The Engineers fell to 2-4 in the conference and 8-10 this season.
BLUFFTON 8, ROSE-HULMAN 0 (5 INNINGS)
The Beavers started off strong with four runs in the top of the first. After a one-out walk to junior JAYME MARBAUGH (Ohio City/Parkway), a Rose-Hulman error allowed CHELSIE OSBORNE (Chillicothe/Waverly) to reach safely. LINDSEY MILLER (Wapakoneta) took first when she was hit by a pitch, loading the bases for game one pitcher BROOKE BABCOCK(Findlay) who took matters into her own hands and went yard for a grand slam that put Bluffton up 4-0.
To open the next inning, ALLISON WHITE (Lima/Shawnee) singled and moved to second on a bunt single from MEAGAN PRICE (Toledo/Springfield). Another walk to Marbaugh once again loaded the bases. A sacrifice fly by Osborne plated White before a two-RBI base knock by Lindsey Miller.
The final run of the contest came in the top of the third. White walked and advanced to second thanks to a single from Price. Marbaugh slammed the ball, sending White racing for home as the Beavers defeated Rose-Hulman in a mercy-rule five inning contest.
Babcock improved to 7-4 on the year after giving up only four hits in five innings while picking up four strikeouts in the shutout. Price went 2-for-3 at the plate, while Marbaugh, Miller, White and Babcock each had one safety with Babcock's dinger the big hit for the Beavers who scored eight runs despite just six hits.
BLUFFTON 3, ROSE-HULMAN 0
After four shutdown innings by Rose phenom JORDAN GOSLEE, who pitched RHIT's first perfect game last week against Hanover, to open game two, the Beavers found their stride in the fifth for two runs. Lindsey Miller shattered the perfect game with a leadoff homer to center field. EMILY MANAHAN (Columbus/Bishop Watterson) reached and advanced to second on a fielding error. A KELLIE KENNEY (Toledo/Emmanuel Baptist) base hit to center field scored pinch runner TIFFANY BUCKMASTER (Lima/Bath) for Bluffton's second run of the inning.
In the top of the seventh, Miller singled and advanced to second on a rip through the right side by Brooke Babcock. Manahan walked to load the bases for Kenney who made it 3-0 with her sacrifice fly to left field, giving the Beavers an insurance run they would not need as she held Rose to a two-out single in the bottom of the seventh.
Kellie Kenney picked up her sixth win (6-2) of the season with the 3-0 victory. The senior hurler limited Rose-Hulman to five hits and one walk while fanning four Engineer batters. Lindsey Miller was 2-for-3 at the plate and her fifth home run of the year proved to be the difference.
Bluffton returns to action on Wednesday, April 1, when the Beavers host long-time rival Defiance College. The first game of the conference doubleheader is slated for 3 p.m.