Softball | 2/20/2021 11:02:00 PM

Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 MANKATO, Minn. - The Buena Vista softball team opened its 2021 season on Saturday by scoring a total of 19 runs as it picked up wins over Bethany Lutheran (10-0, 5 inn.) and Northwestern-St. Paul (9-6) inside of the MSU Dome.

It was all Beavers in the opener over the Vikings as they plated four runs in the opening inning while also scoring four more in the fourth.  Kayden Archibeque, who finished 2-for-3 with a pair of runs scored in the contest, put BVU on the board to open the scoring with an RBI single to center.  The Beavers then took advantage of some sloppy defense by the Vikings, scoring a pair of runs on separate throwing errors before adding the fourth on a passed ball.

BVU added two more runs in the third for a 6-0 cushion before Jamie Wendt capped the scoring with a 2-run single in the fourth for the 10-run margin.  Senior Carlee Guyett was 3-for-3 with three runs scored as Ashtyn Miller helped her own cause by going 2-for-2 with a pair of RBI.  Alyssa Barnhart also tallied two hits as BVU out-hit the Vikings, 11-3.

Miller also got the job done inside the circle, going the distance, allowing just the three hits and striking out nine while walking none.

Savanna Pohlmann had a big game at the plate against the Eagles in the nightcap, going 3-for-3 with a pair of runs scored.  Michaela Mason added a pair of hits and also drove in one.  The Beavers built an early 5-1 lead in the third before the Eagles plated four runs in the fourth to pull even.  BVU came right back in the bottom half to score twice.  After a home run in the sixth brings Northwestern-St. Paul back within a run, Mason comes through with her RBI single in the bottom half while Archibeque adds another RBI for the three-run lead.  The Eagles did bring the tying run to the plate in the seven with just one out, but the Beavers got back-to-back flyouts to secure the win.

Peyton Gross got the start and went the first 3.2 innings and was charged with five runs (four earned) on five hits.  She did strikeout six but couldn't overcome seven walks.  Carrie Dose came on in relief and notched the win, going the final 3.1 and allowing just one run on three hits.

Buena Vista is now 2-0 on the year and will make a return trip to the MSU Dome next weekend where it is scheduled to play a doubleheader against the Eagles on Saturday before playing two more against the Vikings on Sunday.