Written by Josh Garcia
BVU Athletics Communications Student Contributor

CLAREMONT, Calif. (Mar. 5, 2023) - The Buena Vista softball team began its California spring break trip with a pair of matchups against Claremont-Mudd-Scripps on Sunday. BVU picked up the win in the first game winning 7-5 before dropping the second game 4-0.  
 
GAME 1  
The Beavers faced an uphill battle early in game one. The Athen's capitalized on defensive miscues from BVU to take a 4-0 lead after two innings. The score remained there heading into the fifth inning when before the Beavers lineup struck back. The unit compiled seven runs in the final three frames to secure a 7-5 victory.  Maddie Elwood laid down a bunt to get the rally going as two runs came across to score on the play following a throwing error by CM-S. Jamie Wendt then tacked on a two-run single to tie it at 4-4. Amanda Franke put BVU in front with an RBI double in the sixth while Elwood later added another RBI. Alsyss Cathcart gave the Beavers a little breathing room with an RBI double of her own in the seventh.  CM-S loaded the bases with only one out in the seventh but could not score.

Cyrah Rasmussen received her first collegiate start inside the circle. The Cedar Falls, Iowa, native showed poise working through traffic allowing just two earned runs on 12 hits and two walks en route to a complete-game victory. The Beavers lineup received contributions from across the board. Franke and Wendt each recorded multi-hit and RBI performances. Elwood led the game with three RBI while Cathcart also drove in a run.  

GAME 2 
The Beavers received a pair of singles from Wendt and Nattie Murillo to start the game. It appeared the offense was picking right where it left off in game one, but they were unable to capitalize on either of the hits. BVU would threaten again in the sixth with the bases loaded, but again were unable to get on the board. The lineup finished the game with six hits, but were ultimately shutout. Wendt led the effort with another multi-hit performance. Paige Druskis also recorded two hits in the contest. 
 Kennedi Claycomb started inside the circle. She was charged with the loss after allowing two unearned on five hits across three innings of work. Emma LaFave pitched the rest of the game in relief, allowing two earned runs on five hits over three innings. 
 
NEXT UP: BVU (3-7) will resume their spring break trip on Tuesday, March 7 with a double header at the University of La Verne. First pitch is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. (CT).