May 6, 2011
LEXINGTON, Kentucky - The Bluffton University softball team had its chances, stranding 10 runners, but the Beavers came up just short as Anderson opened the 2011 Heartland Conference Tournament with a 2-1 victory. Bluffton fell to 19-15 on the season, while the Ravens improved to 25-12 with the victory. A seven-run second inning powered host Transylvania to a 10-2 mercy-rule victory over the Beavers, ending Bluffton's season on the first day of the HCAC tournament.
The pitching for both teams was superb throughout the entire game as all zeros were on the scoreboard until the bottom of the sixth inning. A dropped flyball by Bluffton led to the first run of the game in the Anderson sixth. With two outs and a Raven on second, AMY WUESTEFELDcame through with an RBI single for a 1-0 lead.
The home team on the scoreboard returned the favor when senior TIFFANY BUCKMASTER(Lima/Bath) reached first thanks to a Raven miscue with one out in the top of the seventh. A free pass to MEAGAN PRICE (Toledo/Springfield) put runners on first and second for junior CHELSIE OSBORNE (Chillicothe/Waverly) one out later. Osborne came through with an RBI single to center, scoring Bluffton's lone senior and knotting the game at one.
Bluffton left the sacks full for the second time in three innings, however, and Anderson made them pay with the game-winner in the bottom of the frame. STEPHANIE ATKINS doubled home LAUREN SMITH with two outs in the bottom of the seventh.
The Beavers managed just three hits, but they drew seven walks in the loss, including three by Price. Osborne had an RBI and Buckmaster scored for the Beavers. STEVIE CUTTITTA(Columbiaville, Mich./Clio) went the distance, giving up just two runs in 6.2 innings on the mound. She fell to 11-6 on the season despite holding the powerful Anderson lineup to six hits with five strikeouts and no walks.
Bluffton jumped on top of #1 seed Transylvania, a 3-1 loser to Defiance in their first contest, when junior EMILY MANAHAN (Columbus/Bishop Watterson) ripped an RBI single through the left side. The first inning base hit plated Meagan Price for a 1-0 lead.
A seven-run second by the Pioneers thanks to four hits, three walks and a couple of hit batters was more than Transy would need as the home team took a 7-1 lead over the Beavers. JESSICA BROADHEAD and MICHELLE LADANYI both drove in two runs during the outburst.
Osborne picked up her second RBI of the day with a single to center field in the top of the third, but Transylvania responded with an unearned tally in the home half to make the score 8-2. A Broadhead two-bagger ended it in the sixth when ALICIA WINANS and ALEX SPAINHOURboth crossed the dish for a 10-2 victory in six innings.
Manahan and Erford both finished with two hits in the contest, while Manahan and Osborne knocked in runs for the Beavers. Price and ASHLEY MANUSOS (Spring Grove, Ill./McHenry Community East) scored for Bluffton.
Stevie Cuttitta fell to 11-7 after allowing seven runs on six hits with four walks in 1.2 innings of work. KAYLA OWENS (Cincinnati/McAuley) worked the final 4 innings, giving up three runs on four hits.
The loss to Transylvania ends the season for the Beavers who finished 19-16 overall and 11-5 in the HCAC. The Pioneers will face Anderson on Saturday at 11 a.m. for the right to play Defiance which knocked off the Ravens in eight innings on Friday afternoon.
-BEAVERS-