Written by Armani Johnson
BVU Sports Information Student Intern

ROCHESTER, Minn. (March 5, 2022) - After the sweep of Bethel University on Friday evening, the Buena Vista University Softball team had an overnight stay and then traveled to Rochester, Minn., on Saturday to play Macalester College in a non-conference doubleheader inside of the Rochester Dome. These games serve as the final tune-up before BVU travels to Arizona for a round of games in the warm Tucson weather over spring break.  

On a cold, raining day in the dome, BVU took control of both games against Macalester. The first inning of the opener was scoreless, but the Beavers opened the score in the second as Maddy Elwood singled to shortstop, Chloe Wells advanced to third and scored on a throwing error by the shortstop.  BVU scored again in the 3rd and 4th inning, and then the score came tight as Macalester started a run of its own in the 5th, scoring 2 runs. BVU started to pull away again scoring a total of 4 runs in the 6 & 7th innings. Macalester rallied in the 7th as 3 players for the Scots passed home plate with a couple of single base hits. Ashtyn Miller came in and saved the day, as the Scotts had runners on first and second and two outs. A strikeout ended the comeback and game 1 as BVU prevailed, 7-5. Kennedi Claycomb was credited with the win, making her 1-1 on the season and Miller with the save which gives her the first of the season. 

Game 2 started like game 2 yesterday, the Beavers were rolling hot scoring 4 runs in the bottom of the 1st. Macalester looked promising as they hit a solo home run until Ashtyn Miller retired from the inning with the bases loaded on a strikeout. This left the Beaver fans high strung but thankful. BVU added another score in the bottom of the sixth to have a 5-1 lead. Peyton Gross relieved Miller in the 4th only allowing one run with 9 strikeouts, including the final strikeout to end the game when Macalester was attempting a comeback in the top of the seventh. Gross gains the win marking her 3rd of the season with just 1 loss.  

The win marks the seventh win of the season out of 10 total contests for BVU. The Beavers complete the weekend sweep just in time for the heap of games they play in the Tucson Invitational, Tuesday- Friday of next week. Beaver fans get excited, the weather is changing, the snow is gone, and the BVU softball is back and playing strong.