Heidelberg Triumphant Against Bluffton

Bluffton University were no match for the Heidelberg College softball, as the Berg swept the Beavers 3-2, 14-11 in a non-conference doubleheader. The Berg now stands at 6-22 for the year, while Bluffton drops to 18-14. Katie Allenspach (Aurora, Ohio / Aurora) picked up both wins on the mound for Heidelberg.

The first game began with Bluffton hitting to an early 1-0 lead, with pitcher Brooke Babcock shutting out the Berg for four innings. Heidelberg finally crossed two over the plate in the fifth when Allenspach homered over the left field fence for two RBIs. Bluffton answered back with a run of its own in the bottom of the inning to tie the game. Heidelberg would not be deterred, however, and scored a run from third off a double from Coree Price (Prospect, Ohio / North Union) to centerfield. Allenspach shut the Beavers offense down in the seventh to take the game.

Price led the Berg, going 2-for-4 at the plate with one RBI, while Allenspach went 1-for-2 with one run and two RBIs. She also struck out two, walked two, and allowed nine hits while commanding the mound for all seven innings.

The second game was a scoring frenzy for both, with each producing at least one very high scoring inning. For Bluffton that came in the fourth when seven runs crossed the plate to place them ahead 9-4. All hope was not lost for the Berg, even though the team entered the top of the seventh inning down 10-5. Heidelberg managed to plate nine runs in one inning to pull ahead. Two of the runs came from a double to left by Katie Curry (Delaware, Ohio / Buckeye Valley), who also solo-homered to the same side back in the second inning, and three more were driven in when Jerrica Sweetnich (Garfield Heights, Ohio / Garfield Heights) smashed a shot to centerfield and snagged a triple and three RBI.

Nicole Bachman (Elkhart, Ind. / Elkhart Memorial) started the game on the mound for Heidelberg but left part way through the fourth when Allenspach came in as relief. In 3.1 innings of work Allenspach struck out three and walked none to earn the win. Price, Sweetnich, and Curry all had an amazing game at the plate. Price and Curry both went 3-for-5, with Price picking up two runs and one RBI and Curry knocking in three runs. Sweetnich went 2-for-5 with three runs and three RBIs as well.

Defensively, Andrea Gerdeman (Ottawa, Ohio / Ottawa-Glandorf) recorded 13 putouts for the Berg, and Price tossed out five assists.

Heidelberg returns to the field on Saturday, April 19, for their last conference home stand of the year against Marietta College. Play is set to begin at 1 p.m.