BLUEFIELD – Bluefield University softball snapped its 15-game skid with a 7-3 win over Johnson University, Wednesday, in the opening game of an Appalachian Athletic Conference doubleheader at Graham Rec Park.
GAME ONE
BLUEFIELD 7, JOHNSON 3
Johnson entered the day in third place in the AAC but the Rams were not deterred as they struck first with a pair of runs in the second inning on an RBI double by Kristina Sanchez and a run-scoring single by MacKenzie Franklin. BU added a run in the fifth when Hallie Cox drew a bases loaded walk. The Rams closed out their scoring in the sixth with a sac fly by Sanchez, and run scoring singles by Macy Martin and Cox. Johnson scored its three runs in the seventh inning.
Cox was stellar in the circle for Bluefield, holding Johnson scoreless and with only two hits until the seventh inning. She finished the game with four strikeouts. Cox allowed three runs on four hits. Bluefield's bats came alive and the Rams were led by Gianna Sloan-Lebron and Martin who had to hits apiece. Cox collected three RBIs, Sanchez two.
GAME TWO
JOHNSON 12, BLUEFIELD 10
Johnson took control early in game two with eight runs in the second inning. The Rams chipped away at the lead with two in the second and two more in the third. Johnson pushed its lead to 12-5 before Martin connected for a grand slam home run in the sixth to make it 12-9. BU scored its final run in the seventh.
Alexis McDuffie had three hits for Bluefield. Sanchez had three hits, including a two-run home run, and batted in three runs. Franklin also tallied three hits. Martin finished with four RBIs.
The Rams are back in action Sunday, hosting Brenau at noon at Graham Rec Park.