April 1, 2015
By: Ryan Schadewald, sports information assistant

OLIVET, Mich. - The Bluffton University softball team returned to their winning ways by sweeping Olivet College in a doubleheader in Michigan on Wednesday, Apr. 1. The Beavers won the first game, 5-1, and pummeled the Comets, 10-2, in five innings in the nightcap. Bluffton improved to 11-12 and the season, while Olivet dropped to 8-6.

The Beavers started the scoring in the first game with two runs in the second inning, including an RBI triple by JESSIE MADZIA (Massillon/Tuslaw), who scored on a BRITTANY HUFF (Clayton/Northmont) base hit later in the inning. Bluffton kept the pressure on in the third as a solo shot from JESS KUZARA (Flat Rock, Mich./Huron), her second of the year, gave the Beavers a 3-0 advantage.

The visitors added another run in the fourth when a MOLLY HABERMAN(Port Clinton) base hit knocked in JO BONDRA (Highland Heights/Mayfield). The final run came in the fifth on another solo homer, this time by CARLY LEVINOFSKE (Brunswick/Magnificat), giving Bluffton the 5-1 lead that would eventually be the final.

Meanwhile, CHLOE SHELL (Covington) (6-4) cruised in the circle, throwing all seven innings and giving up just one run in the fourth while scattering seven hits and walking only one Comet. She finished with two strikeouts, throwing 77 pitches and inducing 12 groundouts in the victory. Levindofske went 2-for-3 with two runs scored for Bluffton as eight starters garnered at least one hit in Bluffton's complete team victory in game one.

The Beaver offense came out blazing in game two, scoring five runs on just two hits while taking advantage of two Comet errors. The inning was blown open by Huff who hit a three-run homer to left center field, her first as a Beaver, to make it a 5-0 game. Olivet scored two in the bottom half before Levindofske hit her second home run of the day, this one a two-run shot which made it 7-2. Bluffton would add one in the fourth, before finishing off Olivet with an RBI double from Huff and Bondra's RBI single that sealed the run-rule in the fifth.

Jessie Madzia (3-5) picked up the victory for the Beavers, tossing all five innings and giving up just one earned run on three hits. She struck out four and walked three in victory. Huff was the lone Beaver with multiple hits in game two, going 2-for-3 with four RBI and two runs scored. Much like the early game, all but two Bluffton starters posted safeties in the nightcap, making it a true team victory.

Bluffton is back in action on Saturday, April 4, as they make the long trip to Terre Haute, Ind. to take on the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Fightin' Engineers. They will then return home on Tuesday, April 7 for a home doubleheader with the Defiance College Yellow Jackets at 3:30 p.m. Come support your Beavers!

-BEAVERS-