By: Takayla Gadberry, sports information alumna

CLERMONT, Fla. – The Bluffton University softball team started off day three in Florida with a 10-3 loss to Geneva followed by a 9-3 setback at the hands of Buena Vista. The Beavers fell to 0-6 on the season following the loss.

Geneva took an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first. The Beavers only scores came in the bottom of the third when Kayleigh Michael (Eaton/National Trail), Ashley Kloeker (Troy) and Julia Tegeder (Hamilton) all touched home for a 3-2 lead. Tegeder doubled in Michael before a Kaylee Grant (Lima/Shawnee) RBI single and Riley Hammonds (Russia) sacrifice fly. Geneva would then regain control with eight unanswered runs, including six in the fifth, locking in their 10-3 victory.

Tegeder powered the Beaver offense with one run on two hits and an RBI. Katie Fleshman (Delaware/Rutherford B. Hayes) suffered her third loss of the season, allowing nine runs, four earned, on 10 hits in five innings of work. She walked seven and struck out two

Buena Vista opened game two with two doubles that plated three runners for an early 3-0 lead. A wild pitch allowed Aubrey Hudson (Bellefontaine) to score before a Mia McCartney (North Baltimore) base knock plated Grant and Kloeker to knot it up 3-3. Six unanswered runs for Buena Vista in the 5th secured their 9-3 victory.

McCartney was the offensive fuel in game two with two hits and two RBI. Hayley Lewis (Kettering/Fairmont) took her second loss, allowing seven runs on eight hits in four innings on the bump. She walked one and sent one back to the dugout.

The Beavers will regroup Wednesday before taking the field again on Thursday, March 7. They will head to Leesburg, Fla. for a 12:15 p.m. matchup against Allegheny followed by a 2:45 p.m. contest against Rivier. Go Beavers!

-Beavers-