The Briar Cliff softball team earned a pair of exciting wins over the Doane Tigers on Friday afternoon, walking off game one with a 9–8 victory before completing the sweep with an 11–7 win in game two.

Game 1 vs. Doane – W, 9–8
BCU rallied for a dramatic walk-off win in the opener, defeating Doane 9–8 in the bottom of the seventh inning.

The Tigers jumped out early, scoring in the first inning before adding three runs in the second and three more in the third to build a sizable lead. Briar Cliff chipped away throughout the game and tied things in the fifth inning behind timely hitting, including an RBI single from Madi Keon and a Doane error.

With the game tied at eight in the bottom of the seventh, Kenadee Loew delivered the game-winning hit with a single to bring home the winning run.

Shelby Blankenship earned the complete-game win in the circle, allowing eight runs, just two earned, on nine hits over seven innings while striking out one and walking two.

The Chargers totaled 15 hits in the contest. Keon, Elizabeth Austin, and Kaela Persico each collected three hits, while Lauryn Mattox added two hits. 

Game 2 vs. Doane – W, 11–7
The Cliff carried that momentum into game two, using a big first inning and another strong offensive showing to secure an 11–7 victory and complete the sweep.

The Chargers exploded for seven runs in the bottom of the first inning. Austin and Mattox each drove in runs with singles, Sydney Mennenga added an RBI ground-out, Persico launched a two-run home run to center field, Aubrey White doubled in another run, and Blankenship capped the inning with a sacrifice fly.

Briar Cliff added another run in the second before Blankenship delivered the biggest swing of the game in the fifth, crushing a three-run home run to right field to extend the lead.

Aubrey White earned the win in the circle, allowing four runs, two earned, over 4.1 innings while striking out three. Joliana Mancha came in to record the save.

Blankenship led the Chargers with four RBIs on the day, while Blankenship, Sydney Ebel, Austin, and Mennenga each recorded two hits. Briar Cliff also stayed aggressive on the bases, stealing five bags and breaking their single season stolen base record with 87 and counting.

Briar Cliff returns to action this Sunday April 19, as the Chargers host Hastings College for Senior Day. Game times are set for 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. BCU will honor their seniors following game two.