Blackburn Softball Splits on First Day in Florida

CLERMONT, FL -- Blackburn College Softball began their spring break trip in Florida with a victory over Buena Vista University 5-1 in their first game but then fell to Curry College 8-7 in an extra inning in their second game. 

Senior Kailynn Kruep led the team with five hits, four runs scored, and added three runs batted in. Freshman Kharma Giles chipped in with three hits while junior Kenadee Frey posted three runs batted in as well. 

Jocelyn Hossler three six innings of scoreless play with two strikeouts and allowed just three hits. Senior Shelby Koenig added four strikeouts. 

The Beavers took on Buena Vista in the first matchup. In the first inning, Frey hit a double which scored both Kruep and sophomore Taryn Millburg. Blackburn added a run in the second after Giles opened the inning with a triple and scored off freshman Alexis Weber's single.

In the fifth inning, senior Breana Allen was hit by a pitch and Millburg walked before Kruep's single allowed Allen to score. Later in the inning, Frey would triple to score Kruep and put BC up 5-0. BVU scored a run in the bottom of the seventh but BC held on for the 5-1 victory. 

Against Curry, the Colonels struck first but Blackburn answered. Kruep singled in the bottom of the first and advanced to second thanks to a fielder's choice. She then scored on a single from Giles to tie it at 1-1. Curry responded with two runs in the third inning but BC answered with four in the fifth. 

Giles and senior Caroline Gibson got the fifth inning started with walks. Giles then stole third and was able to steal home for a run. Allen walked and freshman Kendal Maddox pinch ran for Gibson before Millburg singled to score Maddox and make the score 3-3. After another walk, Kruep came up to hit a single which scored Allen and Millburg to give BC the 5-3 lead. 

The Colonels answered with a run in the sixth and seventh to tie it at 5-5 and force an eighth inning where Curry scored three runs. Freshman Addison Ruyle was placed on second to open the bottom of the inning and advanced to third thanks to a ball hit by Kruep. Frey was up next and knocked in Ruyle. After a strikeout, Gibson batted and hit a single which allowed Kruep to score. Unfortunately, BC was unable to score again and fell 8-7. 

The Beavers end the day at 4-4 on the season and return to action Tuesday to take on William Peace University and North Central College.