March 11, 2011

KISSIMMEE, Florida - The Bluffton University softball team capped off a successful trip to Florida with an 8-0 no-hitter by freshman hurler KAYLA OWENS (Cincinnati/McAuley) on Friday, March 11, 2011. The Beavers mercy-rule win over Beloit pushed Bluffton's record to 7-2 while the Bucs slipped to 2-7 overall.

A bases loaded walk to EMILY MANAHAN (Columbus/Bishop Watterson) pushed ASHLEY MANUSOS (Spring Grove, Ill./McHenry Community East) across the plate for a 1-0 lead in the top of the first. Manusos plated NATALIE NIKITIS (Jeffersonville, Ind.) with an RBI-double to right center an inning later.

The floodgates opened in the fourth as the Beavers plastered four runs on four hits before the dust settled. With SHELBY WADE (Delaware/Buckeye Valley) and Natalie Nikitas in scoring position, a wild pitch made it 3-0. SHELBY ERFORD (Paulding), who leads the Beavers with 13 RBI, cleared the bases with a three-run triple for a 6-0 lead.

CHELSIE OSBORNE (Chillicothe/Waverly) drove in TIFFANY BUCKMASTER (Lima/Bath) and Shelby Wade with her single to center, giving Bluffton a commanding 8-0 lead midway through the fifth frame. Kayla Owens did the rest, setting the Bucs down in order with a one-two-three inning for the Beavers' first no-hitter since assistant coach Brooke Babcock accomplished the feat at Trine in 2009.

Owens fanned four and walked three in her no-hit shutout. Manusos went 3-of-3 with two runs scored. Erford, Wade and Nikitas all rapped two safeties for the Beavers. Wade and Nikitas both scored two runs and Osborne drove in two.

Bluffton will go to Alma on Wednesday, March 16 for a doubleheader with the Scots. The first game is slated for 3:30 p.m.

-BEAVERS-