By Lindsey Delscamp, sports information intern
April 9, 2005

BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Bluffton University softball team (14-4, 2-0 HCAC) picked up two victories in their Heartland Conference opener against Hanover College. The Beavers won the first game 2-1 and the second game 4-2. Bluffton now owns a nine game winning streak with the two wins.

In the first game, Bluffton earned two runs in the bottom of the fourth to take a 2-0 lead. Hanover fought back to get one run in the top of the sixth inning but the Beavers were able to hold on for the final score of 2-1. Senior ALLISON LANGE (Archbold/Archbold) posted two hits, one run and a lone RBI. Junior KATE BARRINGER (Dayton/Chaminade-Julienne) had one hit and one run in the game. Junior pitcher SARAH BETTS (Bryan/Bryan) picked up the victory on the mound to take her record to 9-4 as she struck out 14 batters and walked one.

In game two the Beavers took a quick 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning. Hanover picked up two runs in the top of the third to take the lead 2-1. Bluffton was able to score two runs in the bottom of the third inning to go up 3-2 and one run in the fourth for the final score of 4-2. Junior MICHELLE METZGER (Lakeview/Indian Lake) posted three hits in the game. Junior LINDSAY MILLER (Grove Hill/Wayne Trace) provided the Beavers with two hits and one run. Sarah Betts won the nightcap as she came in to pitch in the fourth inning. Betts now owns a 10-4 overall record on the mound.

The Beavers will be back in action at home against Mount St. Joseph on April 15 at 3 p.m.