Softball | 2/28/2020 11:51:00 AM

STORM LAKE, Iowa (February 28, 2020) - The Buena Vista softball team is set to return to the field this weekend as it is scheduled to play a pair of non-conference doubleheaders against both Calvin College and Millikin University, respectively.

THE MATCH-UPS
Saturday, February 29, 2020  | Decatur, Ill.
Buena Vista (1-1) vs. Calvin College (0-0)  | 12 p.m. (DH)  | Workman Family Softball Field

Sunday, March 1, 2020  | Decatur, Ill.
Buena Vista (1-1) vs. Millikin University (0-0)  | 12 p.m. (DH)  |  Workman Family Softball Field

LAST TIME OUT
The Beavers opened their 2020 campaign by splitting a non-conference doubleheader against Bethany Lutheran College last weekend up north inside the MSU Dome at Mankato, Minn.  BVU began the night with a strong 8-2 victory before the Vikings held on in the nightcap, 8-5.

ABOUT CALVIN
The Knights are playing their first games of the year this weekend beginning with a doubleheader Friday night against Millikin.  Picked second in this year's MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll, the Knights are coming off a 2019 campaign in which they finished 31-10 overall and reached the NCAA DIII Tournament for the second straight season.  The team brings back its top four hitters from last year's squad that hit .342 as a team, scored 259 runs, hit 29 home runs and stole 59 bases.  Hannah Biddlecome returns after leading the way at the dish as a freshman by hitting .418 with 56 hits, six doubles, five triples and 32 runs scored.  She also went 15-for-17 in stolen base attempts.  Kayla Groen is back for her senior campaign after sitting after hitting .394 a year ago with 50 hits and tying for the team lead with nine home runs.  She was third with 35 RBI.  Fellow senior Abi Colon hit .294 last season with nine home runs and team-high 40 RBI.  The Knights also have two of their three pitchers back inside the circle.  Junior Ellie Borst led the staff with a 16-5 record, 128.2 innings pitched.  She had 20 starts overall and 16 complete games while also notching a pair of saves.  Borst ended the year with a 2.12 ERA and struck out 113 batters and issuing only 47 walks.  

SCHEDULE  |  ROSTER  |  STATS

ABOUT MILLIKIN
The Big Blue are also kicking-off their season this weekend as well after going 26-12 in 2019 including an 8-8 mark within the CCIW.  A deep and veteran roster is set to return this season, including a pair of All-CCIW selections.  Among the top hitters back is senior shortstop Kalli Farmer who is a two-time First Team all-conference selection.  She hit .438 as a junior last season.  Junior Skielyr Trenkle returns and is among the team's top outfielders.  She is a two-time All-CCIW selection and hit .298 with 27 RBI last year's after hitting .329 during her freshman campaign.  As a team, the Big Blue hit .329 last season and scored 224 runs - more than 100 than they allowed.  Inside the circle, sophomore Aly Armstrong helped lead the way as a freshman, posting a 9-6 overall record with a 2.61 ERA and 76 strikeouts.  Senior Gracie Brookens enters her final collegiate campaign with 30 career wins under her belt while a pair of incoming freshman provide depth.

SCHEDULE  | ROSTER  | STATS

ABOUT BUENA VISTA
The Beavers had a trio of players finish last Saturday's doubleheader with three hits, led by junior Carlee Guyett who also had a pair of doubles and three RBI.  Savanna Pohlmann had three hits and one RBI and also scored three times.  The Beavers hit .328 for the day and were also aggressive on the base paths by going 12-for-12 in stolen base attempts.  Four players had at least two stole bases for the day including senior Michaela Mason who went a perfect 4-for-4.  Sophomore Peyton Gross picked up the win inside the circle from game one, moving her to 12-3 in her young career.  As a staff, the Beavers struck out only five batters while issuing seven free passes.

SCHEDULE  | ROSTER  | STATS

NEXT UP
Buena Vista will return to the state of Illinois next weekend where it will play six games in three days at Rosemont, Ill.  Two of those games will come against the University of Wisconsin-Stout while two others are against UW-Oshkosh.  The Beavers begin play on Friday night, March 6, at 7 p.m. versus Calvin College before facing UW-Oshkosh to wrap up day one.