Blackburn Overpowers Sabrecats

CARLINVILLE, IL -- The Blackburn College Softball team hosted Maranatha Baptist University for a doubleheader on Monday evening. The Beavers finished game one with a 14-0 win followed by a 19-2 win in game two.

Sophomore Kenadee Frey led the way for the Beavers in both games with five hits, five runs, five runs batted in and one home run. Junior Zoe Mitchell added three hits, three runs, and had four RBIs. Sophomore Kailynn Kreup scored four runs and had one RBI. Senior Mckenzie Smith chipped in with four RBIs, two hits, and two runs. Junior Breana Allen and sophomore Aurianna Henke each posted three RBIs. Senior Jessie Cirrincione had two RBIs and two hits. 

Five players had two hits each that featured senior Grace Mackey, junior Brianna Melchor, and freshman Emma Steibel. Nine players scored two runs each that included senior Shelby Koenig, junior Caroline Gibson, sophomore Sierra Hiser, and freshman Jessi Wright. 

Junior Michelle Hollon threw six strikeouts with a complete game shutout in game one. Freshman pitcher Asylynn Garza picked up her first career victory in game two while Koenig came in and threw six strikeouts.

In game one, the Beavers offense proved too much for the Sabrecats as they rallied to their 14-0 victory. Two runs were scored in the bottom of the first inning and four more in the second. At the bottom of the third, the Beavers scored eight runs to put the game out of reach.

In the nightcap, the offense stayed hot with 11 runs in the first inning. At the top of the third inning, Maranatha scored two runs but the Beavers answered by producing seven runs in the bottom of the inning and scored one final run in the fourth inning to secure their 19-2 win. 

The Beavers will look to keep their offensive firepower going as they will open up conference play and travel out to St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference foe Westminster College on Wednesday afternoon.