Softball Extends Shutout Streak with Another Sweep of MBU

CARLINVILLE, IL – The Blackburn College Softball team extended their shutout streak to 25 innings after defeating Maranatha Baptist 8-0 and 14-0 in Saturday's nonconference doubleheader. 

Sophomore Michelle Hollon threw 11 strikeouts in the opener and allowed just one hit to pick up her first win of the season. Junior Julianna Tabian notched eight strikeouts in the second game.

The first game featured a six-run inning for the Beavers. Tabian started the game with a single then stole second. An error on a ball hit by senior Natalie Keith allowed Tabian to score. After freshman Sierra Hiser hit a double to put runners on second and third, senior Lexi Shaw singled to score Hiser and Keith. Shaw scored off a double by junior Jessie Cirrincionne. Allen continued the rally with a single then continued to third due to errors by the Sabercats which allowed Cirrincionne to score. The sixth run came off a sacrifice hit from junior Miley Kwiatkowski to knock in Allen.

Tabian started the third inning with a single and scored off a Hiser single. Hiser knocked in another run during the fourth inning with a single to score senior Holly Heuerman and secured the 8-0 win.

Blackburn put the second game out of doubt in the first inning, started by the first four batters getting on base. Freshman Shelby Koeing began the inning with a double then scored on Hollon's single. Senior Mckenzie Smith, junior Grace Mackey and sophomore Zoe Mitchell all all hit doubles, and Heuerman was hit by a pitch which worked to give Blackburn three more runs. Sophomore Brianna Melchor singled to score another run then Mitchell reached home on a wild pitch from MBU. Senior Taylor Girth's single helped Melchor score and Girth scored when Koeing hit her second single of the inning. Shaw scored the final run of the inning from a single by Hollon which put BC up 9-0.

With bases loaded in the second inning, Hollon hit into a fielder's choice which scored Melchor. Smith hit a double to score Koeing then Smith and Hollon both scored on Mackey's double.  The Beavers loaded the bases again when a walk by Melchor allowed Mackey to score and put Blackburn up 14-0. 

Blackburn has won their last six games and is now 7-9 on the season. The team will look to continue their shutout streak Sunday when they head to Monmouth College for another nonconference doubleheader.