BLUEFIELD, Va. – The Bluefield University softball team opened Appalachian Athletic Conference play Wednesday afternoon at Graham Rec Park, splitting a doubleheader with Tennessee Wesleyan.
Game One: Bluefield 5 – Tennessee Wesleyan 3
The Rams used timely hitting and strong pitching to claim the opener, earning a 5–3 victory over the Bulldogs.
Tennessee Wesleyan struck first with an RBI single in the opening inning, but Bluefield answered in the bottom half when Alondra Reeves singled up the middle to drive in Chloe Dillow and tie the game at 1–1.
BU moved in front in the second inning after Lauren Jackson came around to score on a Tennessee Wesleyan fielding error to make it 2–1. The Bulldogs briefly reclaimed the lead in the third inning with two runs to go ahead 3–2.
Bluefield responded in the fourth inning when Kenidy Harris delivered a two-run single through the left side, bringing home Delana Loflin and Dillow to give the Rams a 4–3 advantage.
The Rams added an insurance run in the sixth inning as Loflin doubled to left center to score Jackson and extend the lead to 5–3.
Loflin and Harris each finished with two hits for Bluefield, while Harris drove in two runs and Reeves added an RBI. In the circle, Isabella Smith earned the win after striking out seven across five innings of work. Mackenzie Hood closed out the game with two scoreless innings to record the save.
Game Two: Tennessee Wesleyan 9 – Bluefield 0
The Bulldogs responded in the nightcap, scoring nine runs on ten hits to earn a 9–0 win and split the doubleheader.
Tennessee Wesleyan broke through in the third inning with a sacrifice fly before a five-run fourth inning created separation. The Bulldogs added three more runs in the sixth to extend the lead.
Bluefield was limited to two hits in the contest, coming from Dillow and Hood. Dillow recorded a double in the fifth inning for the Rams.
Sara Lang took the loss in the circle after working the first 3.2 innings. Alexis McDuffie and Hood combined to finish the game in relief.
The Rams return to action Friday, hosting Reinhardt for a home doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. at Graham Rec Park.
