CLERMONT, Fla. (Mar. 5, 2024) - The Buena Vista softball team was right back out on the diamond Tuesday morning, and after suffering a tough 7-5 loss in game one of the day against Geneva College, the Beavers responded in a big way with a 9-3 triumph over Bluffton University.

Geneva built an early 2-0 lead with single runs in both the first and third innings. Paige Druskis pulled BVU even at 2-2 in the fourth with a 2-run single before the Beavers took a 4-2 lead later in the frame after run-scoring singles from Madalyn Elwood and Nikki Griggs.

The Golden Tornadoes came right back in the bottom half of the fourth with a 2-run single to pull even at 4-4. Then in the fifth, they loaded the bases with no outs which led to a bases loaded walk to regain the lead and then a 2-run single that extended the margin to 7-4.

Buena Vista chipped away late in the game by getting a run across in the sixth with only one out, but would leave the bases loaded later in the inning and trailing 7-5. The Beavers then had the tying run on base in the seventh but was thrown out attempting to steal second to end the game.

Druskis finished 3-for-5 at the plate for BVU, including two RBI and a run scored. Keristen Trayte was 2-for-4 with a double while Danika Workman also added two hits and one run scored.

Rylie Garner suffered the loss in relief of starter Kennedi Claycomb. She came on with two on and no outs in the fourth and pitched one full inning, allowing three runs and three hits. Claycomb was tabbed with four runs allowed in three-plus innings on four hits.

In what was a battle of the Beavers, it was BVU getting off to a fast start against Bluffton and then finishing the game strong. Elwood and Griggs each doubled home runs in the first inning which led to a 3-0 lead. That's how things stood until the fifth when Bluffton plated three runs of its own to pull even at 3-3.

Buena Vista stormed right back in the home half of the fifth inning with six runs, including 2-run singles from both Claire Woodworth and Nattie Murillo, respectively, en route to the final 9-3 margin. Murillo helped lead the charge overall with a 3-for-4 performance, including the two RBI's and two runs scored. Elwood finished with a pair of doubles in the game to go along with her two RBI and two runs scored.

Overall, Buena Vista finished with 10 hits and stranded seven runners while Bluffton (0-6) had seven hits and left eight runners on the base paths.

Kali Irlmeier earned her first career victory and is now 1-0 inside the circle this season. She pitched five strong innings, allowing all three runs on six hits while striking out a career-high five and walking only one. Grace Fuhrman came on to close the door by surrendering just one hit and striking out four over the final two frames.

Buena Vista sits at 7-7 on the year and plays its final two games of the trip on Wednesday against Dominican University at 4 p.m. (EST) and Wittenberg at 6:30 p.m. (EST).