DUBUQUE, Iowa (Apr. 19, 2025) - The Buena Vista softball team went back on the road on Saturday afternoon for an American Rivers Conference doubleheader at the University of Dubuque, but the Beavers came up short in both games, falling by scores of 5-1 and 8-0 (5 inn.).

The Spartans used a quick start in the opener by plating a pair of runs in each of the first two innings to lead 4-0. BVU cut into that lead with a sacrifice fly by senior Paige Druskis in the third inning that scored Lindy Nelson. Dubuque added its final run in the fifth inning to complete the scoring.

The Beavers were held to only three hits in the contest, including a double from Nelson that came leading off the third inning in which she later scored the team's only run. Jillian Garcia and Riley Garner added the final two hits as the Beavers stranded four runners in the game.

Garner went the distance inside the circle and scattered nine hits with only one extra-base hit. She struck out four in the game and walked only one.

Game two was shaping up to be a stellar pitcher's duel until Dubuque erupted for seven runs with two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning to end things early. Kali Irlmeier was cruising right along with four strikeouts and allowing only four hits through the first four innings. She gave up back-to-back singles to begin the fifth before getting the next two batters out. After a walk loaded the bases, the Spartans got a pair of 2-run singles and a walk-off double to highlight the inning.

Grace Furhman came on in relief of Irlmeier and faced the final four batters of the game.

Druskis finished with two of the team's three hits in the contest and also stole one base. Kayla Farmer recorded the third base hit as BVU stranded four runners overall.

Buena Vista is now 7-21 overall (0-10 A-R-C) and now travels to Coe College (11-23, 2-8 A-R-C) for a DH on Tuesday, Apr. 22 beginning at 2 p.m.