April 22, 2010
By: Keisha Holtsberry, sports information assistant
BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Bluffton University softball team knocked off #4 Ohio Northern in game two of a non-conference doubleheader with the Polar Bears on Thursday, April 22, 2010. Bluffton improved to 14-17 with the split while ONU (30-2) had its 27-game winning streak snapped by the Beavers.
OHIO NORTHERN 13, BLUFFTON 2 (5 INNINGS)
In the first game, the Beavers were unable to score until the bottom of the fifth when they plated two runs. The game ended with the Polar Bears moving to 30-1 with a convincing 13-2 victory in five innings.
SHELBY WADE (Delaware/Buckeye Valley) reached first after a fielding error by Ohio Northern, one of three miscues the Polar Bears committed in the final inning. ALLISON RADOMSKI (Fairfield/Cincinnati Christian) lined out to the shortstop, but Wade advanced to second when the attempt to double her off hit the fence. MEAGAN PRICE (Toledo/Springfield) ripped a double to right field, allowing Wade to cross the plate. TORRIE WILSON(Delphos/Jefferson) followed with a single to right center, scoring Price from second. That was all the Beavers could muster in game one, but it showed Bluffton that the Polar Bears were human.
Price went 2-of-2 with a run scored and an RBI. Wilson collected a hit and drove in a run for the Beavers. Sophomore KRISTIN AGAUAS (Bloomfield Hills, Mich./Andover) fell to 1-4 with the loss. She gave up nine runs on nine hits in just 2.2 innings of work.
BLUFFTON 4, OHIO NORTHERN 2
The second game was scoreless until the top of the third when Ohio Northern went up 1-0 on the strength of a KATIE SALAY homer to center field. The Beavers came back in their half of the third to tie the game.
Torrie Wilson reached first on a fielding error by the third baseman before moving up on TIFFANY BUCKMASTER'S (Lima/Bath) second sacrifice bunt in as many trips to the plate. CHELSIE OSBORNE (Chilicothe/Waverly) was hit by a pitch, putting two runners on base for Bluffton. JESSICA MCDONALD (Mechanicsburg) singled up the middle, plating Wilson from second.
The Polar Bears re-took the lead in the top of the fourth, scoring one run on three hits, but the Beavers answered in the home half, scoring three runs for a 4-2 lead over ONU.
Meagan Price took first on a walk before stealing second one out later.
Torrie Wilson singled up the middle and advanced to second on the throw home that was too late to stop Price before she crossed the plate.
Tiffany Buckmaster singled down the right field line, scoring Wilson from second. Buckmaster advanced to second on a throw that hit her while she was on the first base bag.
Chelsie Osborne singled to shortstop, putting runners at the corners for
Jessica McDonald who made it 4-2 with her RBI single down the right field line.
Babcock, who entered the game in the fourth with two runners on and no outs, allowed just one hit over the final four innings in improving to 7-8 on the season.
Jessica McDonald and
Chelsie Osborne both went 2-of-3 in the nightcap. McDonald drove in two runs and
Torrie Wilson scored twice in the victory.
Bluffton now turns its attention back to the Heartland Conference after knocking off #4 ONU as the Beavers have three home HCAC twin-bills slated for the next six days. Bluffton welcomes Anderson University on Saturday, April 24, 2010. The first contest is scheduled for 1 p.m.
-BEAVERS-