Blackburn Sweeps Harris Stowe

ST. LOUIS, MO -- Blackburn College Softball visited Harris Stowe State University Saturday in nonconference action and came away with a sweep over the Hornets, winning 11-3 and 9-5. 

Junior Kenadee Frey led the offense with five hits and three runs. She also added a double. Freshman Elexus Frey tallied three hits, two runs, and also had four runs batted in. Freshman Kharma Giles finished with a team-best five rbi's, had two hits including a home run, and scored two runs. 

Senior Shelby Koenig threw nine strikeouts in five innings and allowed just a run and four hits during her outing. 

The Beavers started the day with two runs. Freshman Kendal Maddox walked and stole second then advanced to third on a passed ball while senior Caroline Gibson walked. After Gibson stole second, senior Zoe Mitchell knocked in Maddox. Gibson scored due to an error by the Hornets. 

Blackburn added another run in the second inning when Giles scored off a senior Sierra Hiser double. Giles got on thanks to an HSSU error then stole second to get in scoring position. 

Harris Stowe responded with two runs in the bottom of the second but BC answered in a big way. To start the fifth inning, Gibson walked, K. Frey singled and freshman Addison Ruyle walked to load the bases before Giles smashed her third home run of the year, hitting a grand slam to empty the bases.

After the hosts scored in the bottom of the inning, Blackburn scored four more runs in the sixth. Gibson and Mitchell walked and K. Frey got on with a fielder's choice to load the bases again. Ruyle followed with a single to score Mitchell and Gibson. Giles continued the run with a single to score Frey before freshman Hunter Kirk singled as well which scored Ruyle and made the score 11-3. The Beavers shutout the Hornets in the bottom of the inning to win 11-3. 

The nightcap saw Blackburn score early with Ruyle scoring a run in the first inning after Kirk was walked with the bases loaded. The Beavers added three more in the fourth. Freshman Taylor Weber singled then advanced to second on a passed ball. E. Frey singled to score Weber and E. Frey scored off Ruyle's double. Mitchell followed and hit in Ruyle to make the score 4-0. 

In the fifth, freshman Harlie Rainbolt singled, senior Michelle Hollon, reached on a fielder's choice, and freshman Haydon Gage was hit by a pitch which loaded the bases. E. Frey followed with a double and scored all three runners. 

A passed ball then allowed E. Frey to score to move the game to an 8-0 lead. HSSU answered with four runs of the own in the bottom of the inning but BC responded with a run in the sixth when K. Frey doubled then scored on two passed balls and made it 9-4. The hosts added another run in the sixth but BC stop any run and took the 9-5 victory. 

Blackburn will continue nonconference play Tuesday with a doubleheader at Knox College before hosting Mississippi University for Women Sunday in St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference action.