BLUEFIELD, Va. – The Bluefield University softball team split a non-conference doubleheader against Carolina on Tuesday afternoon at Graham Recreation Park, earning a 7-5 win in game one before falling 4-2 in the nightcap.
Game One – Bluefield 7, Carolina 5
Bluefield used a big second inning to take control of the opener and held off a late push from Carolina to secure the win.
After a scoreless first, the Rams broke through with five runs in the second inning. Taking advantage of defensive miscues, BU loaded the bases before Delana Loflin drew an RBI walk to bring in the first run. Later in the frame, Kenidy Harris delivered the big blow, ripping a bases-clearing double into the gap to plate three runs and give the Rams a 5-0 advantage.
Carolina responded with three runs in the fourth to cut into the deficit, but Bluefield answered right back in the bottom half. With the bases loaded, Katie Barrett was hit by a pitch to force in a run and extend the lead to 6-3.
The Rams added an insurance run in the fifth when Natalee Victores singled and eventually came around to score on an RBI single from Harris, making it 7-3.
Carolina mounted one final push in the sixth with two runs to trim the lead to 7-5, but BU closed the door. Mackenzie Hood entered in relief and tossed two scoreless innings to earn the save, while Isabella Smith picked up the win after striking out nine over five innings.
Harris finished with four RBIs to lead the offense.
Game Two – Carolina 4, Bluefield 2
The nightcap was a tightly contested battle throughout, with both teams trading momentum across the first few innings.
Bluefield struck first in the second inning as Mackenzie Hood singled and came around to score on an RBI base hit from Karter Fortune, giving the Rams a 1-0 lead. BUÂ added another run later in the inning when Fortune drove in a second run to make it 2-0.
Carolina answered in the third and tied the game in the fourth on a solo home run. The visitors then took the lead in the fifth with an RBI single and added an insurance run in the seventh following a pair of Bluefield errors.
The Rams threatened in the fifth inning, putting runners on base, but were unable to push across the tying run. BU finished with nine hits in the contest, led by Chloe Dillow and Delana Loflin with two hits each.
Ali Glover started in the circle, while Sara Lang was charged with the loss. Alexis McDuffie provided strong relief, allowing just one run over the final 2.1 innings.
The Rams return to action Friday when they travel to Spartanburg Methodist for an AAC doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m.
