Bluffton is now 8-8 on the season and will host Case Western Reserve University on Tuesday. BC will travel to Thomas More College for a double header on Friday before opening up the HCAC portion of their schedule at Anderson University next Tuesday, April 10.
After dropping a 6-0 decision in the first game against Albion, the Beavers found themselves trailing AC 3-0 heading into the final inning of the second game. However, Spain, senior Heather Thornton, junior Emily Kurtz and freshman Amber Fitzwater all produced hits in that inning to key a rally that tied the game at 3-3 and force extra-innings. With two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning, Spain then drilled a solo homerun to end the game and give Bluffton the victory, capping off a week in which she hit .429 to pick up player of the week honors.
Kurtz suffered the loss in the first game against Albion, but teamed up with sophomore Stacy Herr for the victory in the second game as both pitchers tossed four complete innings. Kurtz worked the final four innings to pick up her fifth win of the season. Herr is now 3-3 with a team-high 20 strikeouts.
Heidelberg College dealt Bluffton two losses on Wednesday on the ‘Berg home field despite three hits on the afternoon from Elizabeth Snavely and two each from sophomore Missy Neal, Thornton, Kurtz, Spain and Herr.
Neal leads BC with a .354 batting average and also ranks first on the team with 17 hits and three doubles. Her eight RBIs are tied for the team-lead with Snavely, who is hitting .302 with 16 hits and two triples. Other offensive leaders include Fitzwater (.278), Spain (.277) and Thornton (.275).
