BLUEFIELD, Va. -- Morgan Stephens homered and Brienna Sparks struck out seven en route to a 6-2 win over Bluefield State to open Thursday's doubleheader, but the Big Blues came back with a 2-1 win in the finale for the twinbill, non-conference split.

Bluefield (4-26) out-hit Bluefield State (4-14) 13-4 in game one, as Kasey Holcomb went 3-for-4 and Ali Bartley, Morgan Stephens and Kaitlyn Pennington had a pair of hits apiece.

The Lady Rams' bats were stifled in game two though, tallying just four hits.

Game 1
After three scoreless innings, Stephens doubled to lead off the bottom of the fourth. With two out, Kaitlyn Pennington reached on a wild throw in which Stephens scored, and advanced to second. Jessica Crabtree then singled in Pennington and scored on a Bartley single to make it 3-0.

The Blues came back with two in their next opportunity--getting a solo home run and a sacrifice fly after a triple--but Stephens helped her squad get the runs back with a two-run home run. Craven led off the frame with a single and came around on the Stephens homer.

Holcomb scored again in the sixth. The senior reached on a single, advanced on a single and sacrifice bunt, then scored on a wild pitch.

One reached in the seventh for BSC, but a line-out to Bartley at third caught the runner off guard and led to a game-ending double play.

Game 2
Bluefield State took the early lead in game two, scoring a pair of unearned runs in the third inning. A dropped pop-up came back to hurt Bluefield, with BSC scoring both runs with two outs thanks to a single and a double-steal.

Meanwhile, BSC's Rosanne De Vries retired the first 11 Lady Rams before Victoria Pietsch singled in the fourth.

Craven settled in for Bluefield and retired BSC in order in both the fourth and fifth frames.

The Lady Rams looked to rally in their last chance and were able to make it interesting, but couldn't complete the comeback. With two outs, Craven knocked a single while Eryn Haley reached on a throwing error which kept BC alive. Craven scored on the get-away throw, but De Vries' 10th strikeout of the game sealed BSC's victory.

Bluefield's upcoming schedule has been altered. The three-game series with Kentucky Christian has been altered to just a Saturday doubleheader, beginning at 1 p.m. Meanwhile, Bluefield will now host Columbia on Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m., celebrating Senior Day.