The Briar Cliff softball team picked up two more conference wins for Senior Day on Sunday afternoon, defeating the Hastings Broncos 9–4 in game one and 11–7 in game two to complete the weekend sweep.

Game 1 vs. Hastings – W, 9–4
Briar Cliff opened the day with a strong offensive performance, defeating Hastings 9–4 behind timely hitting and another complete-game effort from Shelby Blankenship.

The Chargers struck first in the opening inning as Sydney Ebel tripled to right field and Sydney Mennenga followed with an RBI single to give Briar Cliff an early 2–0 lead.

Hastings answered in the second to tie the game before Blankenship responded with a solo home run to right field in the bottom half of the inning to put BCU back in front. After the Broncos briefly reclaimed the lead in the third on a two-run home run from Lee, Briar Cliff answered immediately with runs off a Kaela Persico RBI double and a sacrifice fly from Blankenship.

Persico added insurance in the sixth inning with a solo home run to center field as the Chargers pulled away late.

Blankenship earned the win in the circle, tossing all seven innings while allowing four runs, three earned, on eight hits. She struck out three and walked three.

Briar Cliff totaled 11 hits in the contest, led by Mennenga, who went 3-for-4 with three RBIs. Ebel, Elizabeth Austin, and Persico each added multiple hits, while the Chargers drew seven walks and stole four bases.

Game 2 vs. Hastings – W, 11–7
The Chargers carried that momentum into game two, using a big third inning to secure an 11–7 win and complete the doubleheader sweep.

Hastings struck first in the opening inning, but the Cliff answered quickly as Austin tripled and Mennenga followed with an RBI single to tie the game.

The Chargers took the lead for good in the second when Austin doubled home a run, then broke the game open in the third with five more runs. Persico delivered the biggest swing of the inning with a three-run home run to left field, while Leah Montes added an RBI single and Ebel drew a bases-loaded walk.

Aubrey White earned the win in the circle after working 6.1 innings, allowing seven runs, five earned, while striking out four. Joliana Mancha came in relief to help close out the victory.

Briar Cliff finished with 14 hits, led by short-stop Montes, who went 3-for-4 at the plate. Lauryn Mattox, Brooke Oppliger, and Austin each recorded multiple hits, while the Chargers added four stolen bases and turned a double play defensively.

Briar Cliff returns to action Saturday, April 25 to host the Dordt Defenders in their last outing of regular season action. Game times are set for 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.