Bluefield, Va. — April 13, 2025
The Bluefield University Rams brought the energy, the bats, and a statement to Graham Rec Park on Saturday, sweeping crosstown rival Bluefield State in a thrilling doubleheader. The Rams took Game 1 with a 12–8 win before following it up with a dominant 12–7 victory in Game 2, improving their record to 10–22 on the season and gaining serious momentum in the final stretch.

Game 1: Wootten's Bat Leads Offensive Eruption

The tone was set early in the opener as Chara Wootten blasted a three-run homer in the first inning, sparking a fiery offensive performance. Wootten finished the game 3-for-3 with five RBIs, pacing a Rams lineup that tallied 13 hits on the day. Lauren "Trax" Jackson added an RBI single in the first, and Bluefield University continued to pile on runs in each of the first four innings.McDuffie was electric at the top of the order, scoring four runs and showcasing savvy base running, while Alondra Reeves added a spark with a crucial run in the fourth.

The Rams built an 11–4 lead thanks to contributions from Chloe Dillow, Alexis McDuffie, and freshman Delana Loflin, who added a sacrifice fly. Isabella Smith chipped in with a key RBI single in the seventh.

Hallie Cox went the distance in the circle, striking out 10 and holding off multiple rallies from the Big Blues. Defensively, the Rams made key stops and took advantage of five Bluefield State errors.

Game 2: Power Surge Seals the Sweep

The Rams didn't let up in the second game. After a quiet first inning, Madison Blankenship and Delana Loflin launched back-to-back two-run home runs in the second to give BU a quick 4–0 lead. Hannah Hayes continued the long-ball trend in the third, crushing a three-run homer to extend the lead to 7–0.

Bluefield's bats kept swinging in the fourth as McDuffie, Dillow, Olivia Bailey, and Kenidy Harris each drove in runs during a four-run frame. Despite a six-run counter punch from Bluefield State, the Rams responded in the fifth with a fielder's choice RBI from Jackson to make it 12–6.

Ali Glover earned the win with steady work in the circle, and Isabella Smith closed out the final inning. Despite two errors, the Rams limited the Big Blues to one final run, sealing the 12–7 victory.

A Statement Sweep

Across both games, the Rams showed poise, power, and production. Wootten, Hayes, Loflin, and Blankenship all went yard, while players throughout the lineup contributed timely hits and smart base running. The pitching duo of Cox and Glover, backed by Smith, held strong against late surges and protected the leads.

With the sweep, Bluefield University will look to take this momentum into tomorrow's conference game with St. Andrews University.