MANKATO, Minn. (Feb. 25, 2023) - The Buena Vista softball team was back on the diamond and played against DIII opponents for the first time this season as it picked up a 5-1 victory over St. Catherine's to begin the night before falling 6-0 to the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in the nightcap.

The Beavers would build an early 4-0 lead in the opener with a pair of runs in both the first and second innings, capped by a two-run double from Rylee Cain in the second. Amanda Franke registered her second sacrifice fly of the game in the fifth inning for the game's final score. St. Catherine scored its only run of the contest with a bases loaded walk in the second inning.

Cain, along with Paige Druskis, each doubled and finished with two hits in the contest with Jamie Wendt also adding two hits and scoring a team-high three runs. Maddie Elwood added the team's other hit and also walked twice. Kennedi Claycomb went the distance inside the circle for the Beavers, allowing just the one run on six hits, walking one and striking out four.

BVU was then held to just one hit against UW-La Crosse, a single by Nattie Murillo in the seventh that put runners on first and second with no outs. It was the biggest threat by the Beavers in the contest, but the next three batters would all strikeout to end the game.

Rylie Garner got the start and pitched 3.0 innings, allowing three runs and four hits while suffering the loss. Emma LaFave came on and worked the other 4.0 innings.

Buena Vista remains at the Mankato Dome on Sunday afternoon to play games against St. Olaf at 1 p.m. and Hamline at 3:30 p.m.