Softball Splits with Dordt College to Open Home Schedule

The Buena Vista softball team was eager to get back to action on Thursday afternoon after nearly a three-week layoff, and the Beavers picked up a non-conference doubleheader split of Dordt College, taking game one 4-1 before falling in eight innings in game two, 4-0.

Senior Chancey Wilcke (Battle Creek, Iowa/BC-IG) surrendered a first inning home run in the opener, but only allowed four hits after that, en route to her fourth complete-game victory of the season.

BVU trailed 1-0 until the fifth inning when freshman Jordon Pilcher (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/George Washington High School) singled to right field to score Stephanie Hayden (Prairie City, Iowa/PCM) from third.  The Beavers then got some help from the Defenders defense in the sixth to score the game’s final three runs.

Sam Engleman (Hawarden, Iowa/West Sioux) was hit by a pitch to lead off the frame before coming all the way around to score one batter later, after Wilcke reached on a fielder’s choice and a throwing error by the pitcher sent the ball into center field.   Hayden then singled and advanced to third two batters later, scoring freshman Haley Payne (Alta, Iowa/Alta-Aurelia), who had come in to pinch run for Wilcke.  Allison Kirchgatter (Anthon, Iowa/MVAO) then walked and proceeded to get in a rundown between first and second, allowing Hayden to score.

Hayden and Pilcher each finished with two hits, as Hayden also scored two of the four runs. 

Wilcke is now 4-1 on the mound after allowing just five hits and striking out.  She has yet to issue a single walk this season in 26 innings of work, while lowering her ERA to 1.88.

Game two was a pitcher’s duel throughout, as the two teams were each held scoreless, while combining for five hits through the first seven innings.  Dordt (7-11) then plated all four of the game’s runs in the eighth as the Beavers committed four errors, defensively.

Senior Aphton Roberts (Primghar, Iowa/South O'Brien) went 3-for-3 at the plate, to go along with one walk, while Brooke Berkey (Colfax, Iowa/Colfax-Mingo) and Jessica Stocker (Des Moines, Iowa/Carlisle High School) each added one hit.

Jami Webster (Spencer, Iowa/Spencer) was tough in a losing effort, allowing four unearned runs on just four hits, while striking out five and walking only two.

Buena Vista is now 5-3 on the year and will remain at home for a Saturday, March 24, doubleheader against Northwestern College (IA) beginning at 12:00pm.

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