WINTER HAVEN, Fla. - The Bluffton University softball team kicked off its 2025 season with a pair of games that covered both ends of the spectrum. Chatham shut down Bluffton 8-0 in five innings before the Beavers rebounded with a 10-6 nine-inning victory over Neumann! Bluffton stands 1-1 heading into another double feature on Sunday, March 2.
Chatham scored one in the first inning, four in the third, a solo run in the fourth and two more in the fifth while the Beavers struggled to get runners on base. Kaylee Grant (Lima/Shawnee) laced a one-out single through the right side in inning three, but the Beavers were unable to dent the scoreboard in the day one lidlifter.
Freshman Grace Gronberg (Danville) took the loss after allowing four runs, two earned, on just one hit with four walks and six strikeouts.
Grant tripled home Ella McCombs (Springfield/Southeastern) who blooped a one-out single to left in the first inning of game two. Neumann responded with two tallied in the home half thanks to one hit and four free passes.
With the Beavers trailing 3-1 in the fifth inning, Gronberg helped herself with am RBI single to right center that plated Reagen O'Brien (Bellbrook) who opened the frame with a base knock. Head Coach Paige Jansen dialed up a double steal and McCombs scurried home with the tying run when Neumann threw down to second.
A pair of scoreless innings sent game two into extra frames and Bluffton came out swinging. With the international tie-breaker in effect, Halee McDade (Oxford/Talawanda) lifted a one-out sacrifice fly to left for a 4-3 Beaver lead. Julia Tegeder (Hamilton) singled and she came around on a Kayleigh Michael (Eaton, Ohio/National Trail) two-bagger. Taryn Hampton (Fostoria/Hopewell Loudon) made it 6-3 with her RBI single up the middle.
Naumann knotted it up with three scores in the home eighth, but the Beavers said enough is enough an inning later. A two-out rally iced the victory as Tegeder's two-run double down the right field line plated Grant and Gromberg before Michael's base knock picked up Tegeder and McDade.
Gromberg survived the first inning after allowing two runs with four walks. She continued to grind, tossing a nine-inning complete game for her first collegiate win! The freshman allowed six runs on six hits with eight walks and seven punchouts.
Michael was 3-of-5 with three RBI, while Gronberg, Hampton and Tegeder all notched two safeties in the nightcap. McCombs, Gromberg and Tegeder all scored twice for the good guys.
Bluffton will be back at it early on Sunday, March 2, when they take on Allegheny College and St. Vincent. Game one is slated for 9 a.m.
-BEAVERS-