Softball Splits with Storm to End Regular Season

After being edged 2-0 in Saturday’s opener, the Buena Vista softball team got five runs in the sixth inning of game two to help close out the doubleheader split with a 6-0 victory.  It was the first shutout over the Storm since 2001.

Sam Engleman (Hawarden, Iowa/West Sioux) broke a scoreless tie in the nightcap with a solo home run to left field – her fifth of the year - in the fifth inning.  BVU then got two-run singles in the sixth by Stephanie Hayden (Prairie City, Iowa/PCM) and Sam Knudsen (Missouri Valley, Iowa/Missouri Valley), as well as a run-scoring double by Brooke Berkey (Colfax, Iowa/Colfax-Mingo).

Senior Chancey Wilcke (Battle Creek, Iowa/BC-IG) held the Storm to only five hits in the contest and registered 17 ground ball outs. 

Hayden and Knudsen each finished with three hits and two RBI to help lead the Beavers, who outhit the Storm, 15-5.  Engleman added a pair of hits, an RBI and two runs scored, while Berkey also added two doubles, an RBI and one run scored.

Simpson scored twice in the third inning of the opener, and that proved to be enough in a game where each team combined for only seven hits. 

Berkey and Les Turnquist (Alta, Iowa/Alta) each turned in one hit to lead the way for the Beavers.

Wilcke, who’s now 14-11 on the year, scattered five hits and struck out one on the mound.

Buena Vista is now 17-15 overall (7-9 IIAC) and will have to wait until Sunday to know whether it will qualify for next week’s Iowa Conference Tournament.  The team is currently tied with Loras College for sixth, with Cornell sitting just one game back.  The Rams are facing league-leading Luther College.

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