The Bluefield softball team split its afternoon doubleheader against Southern Virginia on Monday, taking game one 10-1 in six innings and dropping the finale, 3-2.

A pair of three-run homeruns from Jessica Dutka and Aline Uehara in the sixth inning broke open the first game, as the Lady Rams went on to win via run rule. Uehara (2-1) earned the victory, pitching six innings. She allowed four hits for one run and struck out five.

The Knights kept the Bluefield bats in check in game two, winning a defensive-driven game, by a 3-2 margin.

Game 1: Bluefield 10, Southern Virginia 1

The Knights grabbed the early lead in the bottom of the first inning, as back-to-back Uehara walks brought in leadoff hitter, Cheyenne Hegsted. Hegsted had reached base on an infield single.

After several scoreless innings, Bluefield claimed the lead behind two runs in their half of the fourth. Kasey Holcomb led off the inning with a double – a familiarity for the Lady Rams who lead the nation in doubles per game (3.5).

Then, with two outs, a Heather Thomas single advanced Holcomb to third base. Kourtney McGrady promptly followed with a single to knot the game, 1-1. Meismer continued the mini rally with a single of her own, while a Breanne Vencil single gave Bluefield the 2-1 advantage.

Uehara continued to roll through the SVU lineup before the Lady Rams broke the game open in the sixth inning.

With one out, singles by Thomas, McGrady and Meismer kicked off the rally. Thomas plated on a wild pitch, before Vencil doubled to left, driving in McGrady for the 4-1 lead.

With two out in the inning, Dutka hit her first homerun of the year, doubling Bluefield's lead, 7-1. Uehara then blasted her own three-run homerun two batters later, as Holcomb singled and Morgan Stephens walked to reach base.

Uehara shut down the Knights in order, securing the 10-1 win by run rule. Annie Biggs (0-2) took the loss for the Knights.

Game 2: Southern Virginia 3, Bluefield 2

Cheyenne Hegsted led off the Knights once again in game two, this time with a double. After stealing third, Chance Hegsted supplied the RBI with a groundout to second, giving the hosts a 1-0 lead once again.

The Knights added two more runs in the second inning, as they tallied three hits in the frame. With two on and two out, Katie Evans supplied the bases-clearing single and what would prove to be the game-winning hit.

The Lady Rams were held scoreless by McKenzy Mackay through the first four innings, earning only three hits.

In the fifth, Holcomb came through with an RBI double, bringing in McGrady who walked to start the inning.

Uehara opened the sixth inning with a double before coming around to score on a single from McGrady, but the Knights stifled the Bluefield rally. The Rams were then retired in order in the seventh, as SVU claimed the split with a 3-2 win in game two.

Mackay (1-1) earned the victory in the circle for the Knights. Meismer (1-2) took the loss for the Lady Rams.