By: Ethan Stearns, sports information assistant

BLUFFTON, Ohio – The Bluffton University softball team dropped two games to Transylvania University at home on Saturday, April 29, 2023. Bluffton scored just one run across 12 innings as the Pioneers won 10-1 in five innings before capping the sweep with a 12-0 shutout. The Beavers finished the season 14-24 on the year with a Heartland Conference mark of 3-13. The Pioneers continue rolling in a very impressive season as they improved to 26-9 (13-0 at home) overall and 11-1 in the Heartland Conference.

After the visitors went up 10-0 midway through the fourth inning, Bluffton scored its lone tally in the home half of the frame. Riley Hammonds (Russia) drove Kryshel Dales (Defiance/Ayersville) in with a single up the middle to make it 10-1, which would be the final score after five innings.

Freshmen Elizabeth Crites (Findlay) and Hammonds accounted for the only two hits in game one, with Hammonds collecting the RBI.

Senior Erin Norman (Pleasant Hill/Newton) fell to 8-11 as she tossed all five innings, striking out two batters in the process.

Bluffton continued to struggle offensively in the final game of the season as Transy went up 7-0 through five innings before pouring in five more tallies in the final frame, ending game two with a final score of 12-0.

Hailey Lennard (North Baltimore), Hayley Lewis (Kettering/Fairmont) and sophomore Lindsey Barnes (Van Wert/Crestview) were responsible for their squad's three hits. Barnes ignited the huge Bluffton cheering contingent when she laced a Carlee Jeter offering down the left field line for her first collegiate hit in the fourth inning! 

Grace Fillinger (Hinckley/Highland) ended the season with a 6-9 mark in the circle, going 6.2 innings and allowing only one walk.

Check out the Bluffton softball webpage over the next couple weeks for All-Heartland Conference awards and updated record books.

-BEAVERS-