The Briar Cliff softball team split their Saturday doubleheader with Kansas Wesleyan in Salina, Kansas. The Chargers move to 9-3 behind Maddi Duncan's 15 strikeout shutout in game one.
 
"At times we struggle to maintain consistency and momentum through two games," said head coach Erin Bly. "Unfortunately, that was the crux for us today. We didn't execute like we needed to get the sweep. We missed too many opportunities and it cost us game 2. As a team we have to find ways to keep momentum and find ways to capitalize earlier in the game."
 
Game 1 – W, 2-0
Duncan was sensational to start the contest for the Blue and Gold, carrying a no-hit bid into the fifth inning. Through four innings of play, Duncan had racked up eight strikeouts, including a three-strikeout performance in the first inning.
 
While Duncan contained the Coyote offense, the Charger bats had opportunities to score in the third and fourth innings. In both innings, the Chargers left two runners on base, as the score stayed tied at 0-0.
 
In a pitcher's duel of a game, the Chargers and Coyotes went to extra innings. Per extra innings rules, Jessica James was placed on second base to begin the extra frame. After a Kylee Lukes walk, Karis Gifford doubled to left field to score James and Lukes. Looking to add to their 2-0 lead, the Cliff loaded the bases after a Coyote error and a hit by pitch. Kansas Wesleyan was able to minimize the damage, as they escaped the inning only trailing by two.
 
With a two-run lead, Duncan squashed any hope for a Kansas Wesleyan comeback by retiring the side in order via swinging strikeouts.
 
Duncan posted her third complete game and second shutout in the win and hit double-digit strikeouts for the second time.

Gifford has two hits to lead the Cliff with two RBIs. Karina Cupples, Callie Billings, Veronica Pitzl and Montie Richter stole one base a piece.
 
Game 2 – L, 6-7
After being held scoreless in the first game of the doubleheader, the Coyotes struck first in game two. They put across three runs in the first inning, with one home run, and two more runs in the third.
 
Kennedy Andersen drove in the Cliff's first run of the game with a double to left field, scoring Aubrey Chichurka in the second.
 
The Charger bats exploded in the sixth inning, scoring five runs to take a 6-5 lead. Lukes drove in a pair of runs with a single to center field to get the scoring started. Sydney Lierman would later double to center field, scoring two more BC runs. An error by the second baseman on a James at-bat would allow Lierman to cross home plate and take a one run lead.
 
However, the Coyotes would equalize the score in the bottom half of the sixth. The Chargers loaded the bases in the seventh with two outs, but Kansas Wesleyan was able to escape the jam without surrendering a score. The Coyotes walked off in the bottom of the seventh with a single to left field.
 
Chichurka and Billings each tallied two hits for the Cliff, while Lukes and Lierman had two RBIs each.
 
The Chargers are back in action tomorrow in Canton, Missouri for a double-header with Culver-Stockton beginning at 12:00 p.m.