The Charger softball team put together a strong Saturday at the American State Bank Sports Complex, earning a pair of victories with a comeback win over Mayville State, followed by a hard-fought 6-4 decision against Dakota State.
Game 1 vs. Mayville State – W 7-4
Mayville State opened the scoring in the third inning, but the Chargers stayed within striking distance before erupting late.
BCU flipped the game in dramatic fashion in the bottom of the sixth, sending 12 batters to the plate and scoring seven runs on eight hits to seize a 7-3 lead. The highlight of the inning came when
Sydney Ebel delivered a clutch two-run double to break the game open.
Mayville State added a solo home run in the top of the seventh, but Briar Cliff closed out the 7-4 victory.
Shelby Blankenship earned the win in relief, allowing one run on one hit over two and two-thirds innings while striking out two.
MJ Bannon started for the Chargers and struck out five over four and one-third innings.
Offensively, Briar Cliff totaled 11 hits, with
Lauryn Mattox,
Emily Daprato,
Elizabeth Austin, and Ebel each collecting two hits. Ebel led the Chargers with three RBIs on a 2-for-4 performance.
Game 2 vs. Dakota State – W 6-4
The Cliff carried the momentum into game two, jumping out early against Dakota State. BCU struck in the first inning when
Leah Montes lifted a sacrifice fly, and Mattox followed with an RBI single to take a 2-0 lead.
The Chargers added three more runs in the second inning as
Aubrey White launched a solo home run to center field, Ebel singled to left, and Montes drove in another run with her second sacrifice fly of the game.
Dakota State made things interesting late, cutting into the lead with a pair of runs in the seventh, but the Chargers held on for the 6-4 win.
White earned the win in the circle, tossing six and one-third innings while allowing four runs (three earned) and striking out six. Blankenship again provided relief to help secure the victory.
Montes paced the Chargers offensively with two RBIs, while White, Austin, and Ebel each recorded two hits.
Briar Cliff returns to action Friday, February 27, taking on Clarke University and MidAmerican Nazarene in Shawnee, KS. Game time is set for 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m.
