STORM LAKE, Iowa (May 1, 2022) - The Buena Vista softball team was back in action in Waverly, Iowa for a double header against Wartburg College on Sunday afternoon. The team had history on their minds as they took the field needing a sweep to earn their first regular season conference title since 1996. 

Game one saw the Beavers get off to a quick start with Rylee Cain and Jamie Wendt each contributing with a pair of RBI singles making it 2-0 after the first inning. The score would remain 2-0 until the Knights responded in the third inning. Sydney Illg tied the game at two with a two-run triple to right before later scoring on an error by third baseman Nattie Murillo to give the Knights their first lead of the game at 3-2.

In the 4th inning, Murillo responded by hitting a two-run single to put the  Beavers back ahead 4-3. The hit sparked a team-wide rally with Cain and Wendt both contributing with a RBI and scoring on a wild pitch. The Beavers held a 7-3 lead after four.

It would remain 7-3 until the 6th inning when a sacrifice fly from Alyssa Barnhart made it 8-3. Ashtyn Miller took it the rest of the way for the Beavers, allowing two runs on eight hits, walking three, while striking out seven across 7 innings of work. Miller earned her 12th win of the year. Ashley Nelson was charged with the loss for the Knights. Three Beavers recorded a multi-hit performances: Carlee Guyett (two), Chloe Wells (three), and Jamie Wendt (four). 

The Beavers got off to another strong start in game two, picking up an early 1-0 lead off a first inning RBI single from Cain. The Knights responded with a pair of RBI hits in the second and a solo homerun from Tarah Wehde in the 3rd. The hits gave the Knights a 4-1 lead after three.

The Beavers continued to trail entering the 5th inning. Wells then got a rally going with a RBI double into left field. Murillo kept the line moving with a two-run single, tying the game at 4. Cain would then give the Beavers a 5-4 lead with a sacrifice fly. Miller hit a two-run double in the 6th to extend the lead to 7-4. The Knights tried to fight back late with a solo shot from Sydney Illg, but their efforts fell just short as Peyton Gross took the Beavers the rest of the way. Gross picked up her 10th win after allowing five runs on eight hits, three walks while striking out five over seven innings. Lauren Reicks was charged with the loss for the Knights. Three Beavers recorded a multi-hit performance: Guyett (two), Wells (two), and Murillo (four). 

The sweep of the Knights clinched the Beavers their first regular season conference title since 1996 and its seventh all-time. Players were elated upon the final out with outfielder Savanna Pohlmann providing her thoughts on the team's title: 

"We worked all season for an A-R-C Championship title and today shows how much it paid off," she says. "Every single person on the team played a part in getting us to where we are, and this is the most deserving team I have been a part of!"

Next Up: The top-seed Beavers will host the A-R-C Tournament May 6-7th in Storm Lake.  A full schedule can be found below.

American Rivers Conference Tournament Schedule

Friday, May 6
Game 1 - No. 4 Wartburg (H) vs. No. 5 Luther (A) @ 2:00 p.m.
Game 2 - No. 3 Coe (H) vs. No. 6 Nebraska Wesleyan (A) @ 4:30 p.m.
 
Saturday, May 7
Game 3 - Winner Game 1 vs. No. 1 Buena Vista (H) @ 11:00 a.m.
Game 4 - Winner Game 2 vs. No. 2 Dubuque (H) @ 1:30 p.m.
Game 5 - Championship Game @ 4:00 p.m.