Softball splits SLIAC matchup with Blackburn

Softball splits SLIAC matchup with Blackburn

GREENVILLE, Ill. - The softball team hosted Blackburn on Wednesday in a SLIAC doubleheader. The Panthers came from behind to force extra innings in game one as they fell 6-5 in nine innings, and they capped the day with a 7-2 win in game two.

Greenville fell behind Blackburn 4-0 by the third inning of game one, but they cut the deficit in half with a two-run home run by Kendall Farr in the third inning.

The Panthers needed a two-run rally in their last at bat and managed to get it. In Greenville's seventh inning AB's, Farr drew a bases-loaded walk, and Cayla Speaks tied the game with a single to the pitcher.

Using tiebreaker rules, the teams each started extra innings with a runner on second. Blackburn scored in the top of the eighth, but a fielder's choice by Holzhauer tied the game in the bottom of the inning.

The Beavers won the game with their sixth run in the top of the ninth.

Maegan Stone ended the game with three hits in four at bats. Farr, Speaks, and Amanda Atteberry all had two hits.

Caitie Opp started the game in the circle but only went two innings before turning things over to Stone for seven innings. Stone finished seven innings, allowing three runs, one earned, on six hits with three strikeouts.

Game two resulted in a first inning lead for Blackburn, but the Panthers received five runs in the bottom of the third to take over the game.

Holzhauer provided a two-run single in the third inning, and another run scored on a fielder's choice. Speaks grounded into a double play that allowed another run, and Farr completed the scoring in the inning when she scored on a passed ball.

Kayla Zimmerman gave Greenville an RBI single in the bottom of the fourth, and Holzhauer recorded an RBI single in the sixth.

Farr pitched all seven innings for the win. She allowed two runs, one earned, on nine hits.

Holzhauer managed three hits for Greenville. Zimmerman and Katie Myers each had two hits.

The Panthers (16-6, 10-2 SLIAC) travel to Iowa to play Central on Friday.