CLAREMONT, Calif. (Mar. 9, 2023) - The Buena Vista softball team resumed spring break action with a double header against Pomona-Pitzer on Thursday afternoon. BVU picked up a thrilling eight-inning victory (3-2) in the opener before the host Sagehens rallied to win the nightcap, 6-4.  

GAME 1 

The Beavers entered the first game of the double header in midst of a five-game losing streak. Freshman Emma LaFave was tasked with ending the skid in her first collegiate start inside the circle.  

Paige Druskis set the tone for the Beavers, leading off the game with a base hit to center before coming around to score on a sac fly from Nattie Murillo. LaFave kept Pomona-Pitzer through the first three innings, allowing no runs and just two hits before Maddy Elwood sparked another rally in the fourth. The sophomore hitter led off the inning with a single into left field. Elwood advanced her way to third on a passed ball and ground out before scoring on a hit to first by Claire Woodworth. Pomona-Pitzer would have to wait until the sixth inning to respond when an RBI double to center finally got the Sagehens on the board. The double trimmed the Beavers lead to 2-1 heading into the seventh inning. LaFave got a pop up to start the seventh. The out brought her within two outs of a complete game victory, but Pomona-Pitzer had other plans and smoked a solo homerun to extend the game to extras. Jamie Wendt responded for the Beavers in the eighth, scoring Druskis on a sac fly to regain the lead. This proved to be all LaFave needed, as she retired the side in order to secure the win.  

LaFave was instrumental for the Beavers inside the circle, allowing two runs on nine hits in an eight-inning complete game victory. The effort gave the freshman her first collegiate win and improved her record to 1-0 on the year.  

The lineup received production from familiar faces with Paige Druskis, Jamie Wendt, and Nattie Murillo.  Druskis scored a game-high two runs while Wendt and Murillo each recorded sac flies. Woodworth recorded the only RBI hit of the contest for the Beavers.  

GAME 2 

After a complete-game effort in game one, LaFave picked up right where she left off with a three-run double to right to start the game. Pomona-Pitzer chipped away with an RBI double of their own in the third before rattling off another five runs in the following innings. The Beavers would not score again until an RBI single from Paige Druskis narrowed the deficit to two runs. BVU looked to comeback in the final inning, but were retired in order to lose 6-4.  

Kennedi Claycomb earned a no-decision after starting inside the circle. The junior allowed three runs across 3.2 innings. Rylie Garner suffered the loss in relief after allowing three runs in 1.0 inning. Grace Fuhrmann was a bright spot for the staff, pitching a perfect 1.1 innings to finish the game.   

The lineup was led in game two by LaFave and Druskis. LaFave finished with a double and three runs batted in. Druskis recorded one hit and one RBI. 
 

NEXT UP: BVU (4-12) will wrap up its spring break trip on Sunday, March 12 with a double header at Whittier College. First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. (CT).