The Buena Vista softball team used a big inning in each game of Saturday's doubleheader to help even its Iowa Conference record with a sweep at Loras College by scores of 6-4 and 7-6, respectively.

In the opener, the Beavers broke a scoreless tie in the fourth by putting up six runs on five hits.  Freshman Cheyanne Boland got the rally started by leading off the frame with a single to center. After Lacey Vokt walked, Stephanie Hayden added a single of her own to load the bases.  Two batters later, Jordon Pilcher singled home the first run before Sam Engleman made it 2-0 with a two-out RBI single of her own.

Britney Kubik and Lesa Turnquist added the big base knocks of the inning, as each chalked up two-run singles, extending the margin to 6-0.

Loras did get one run back in the bottom half and made things interesing with three runs in the sixth before the Beavers held on in the end for their first league win of the year.

Kubik and Turnquist each finished 2-for-4 in the contest with two RBI.  Hayden and Brooke Berkey also added two hits, as did Boland who also walked once and scored a run.  BVU out-hit the Duhawks, 13-8.

Jenna Falline improved to 7-5 overall on the mound by going the distance allowing the four earned runs and striking out one.

A six-run second inning of game two proved to be the difference for BVU as well.

After taking a 1-0 lead after a half inning, BVU plated six runs in the second, including a two-run single from Berkey.  Vokt and Pilcher also added RBI singles in the frame with Boland drawing a bases loaded walk to plate another.

Loras slowly began to mount a comeback, dcoring once in the bottom of the second before going on to add four more in the third to make it a 7-5 contest.  The Duhawks then made it a one-run game after four innings before the Beavers allowed just two base runners the rest of the way.  Loras did have the tying run at second in the seventh, but a game-ending double play after the runner left early ended the threat and the game.

Pilcher added two more hits and drove in two of the seven runs to help lead BVU.  Mikaela Millslagle also added two hits and scored one run.  Hayden chipped in with a hit and two runs scored.

Kubik earned the win, improving to 3-6 on the year with Falline picking up her first save of the year.

Buena Vista improves its overall record to 10-12 while evening its league record at 2-2.  The Beavers will be back in action again on Wednesday afternoon, April 9, when they host Central College in a doubleheader starting at 3:00pm.