Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Written by Josh Garcia
BVU Athletics Communication Student Contributor
 

SIOUX CENTER, Iowa (February 11, 2023) - The Buena Vista softball team continued its season-opening trip to the Dordt University Dome Games with another pair of matchups on Saturday afternoon against Mount Mercy University and the host Defenders, respectively. BVU was edged in the opener, 5-2, before falling to Dordt, 5-0.
 

Game 1

Game one saw the Beavers get on the board first with Paige Druskis and Rylee Cain each recording RBI singles in the third to give the Beavers a 2-0 lead. Rylie Garner was in form inside the circle heading into the sixth inning, having allowed no runs, and just two hits through the first five frames. The Mustangs began the sixth inning with a pair a doubles to get on the board. They would continue to rally with a barrage of hits, chasing Garner from the game. Grace Fuhrmann entered in relief and limited the damage with a fly ball out to end the inning. The Mustangs compiled four runs on five hits to give them a 4-2 lead through six. They extended their lead to 5-2 on a pair of doubles in the seventh. After the second double, Garner re-entered the game and recorded a pair of pop-outs to end the frame. The Beavers looked to rally in the seventh, but were retired in order. 

Making her first collegiate start, Garner allowed four runs on seven hits while striking out two across 6.1 innings of work. Fuhrman recorded two outs in relief while allowing a run on two hits. Druskis led the Beavers' efforts, offensively, tallying three hits and an RBI. Cain was next with two hits and an RBI. Nikki Griggs and Amanda Franke recorded the other two BVU hits while each scoring a run.

Game 2

The Beavers offense recorded nine hits, but left nine runners on base and suffering a shutout in the process. Dordt University also recorded nine hits, but found the timely ones that the Beavers could not.

Kennedi Claycomb got the start in the circle for the Beavers. The junior hurler allowed four earned runs on nine hits and four walks while striking out four across six innings of work. Nattie Murillo led the offense with her second three-hit performance of the weekend. Seven different batters recorded hits for BVU in the contest. 

Buena Vista falls to 0-4 to start the season. The Beavers are now off for two weeks before they travel north to Mankato, Minn., on Feb. 25-26, to play four games inside of the MSU Dome.