Softball Splits Pair of Games at Gene Cusic Classic

NAPLES, Fla. – The Bridgewater State University softball team split a pair of games at the Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic in Naples, Florida on Tuesday.

The Bears (2-4) edged Pitt-Bradford, 6-5, but dropped a 13-7 decision in eight innings to Wisconsin-Lutheran.

In the win over Pitt-Bradford, the Bears plated four runs in the first inning and two more in the second to jump out to a 6-0 lead.

Jenny Heller had a two-run single in the first while Tara McCann knocked in a run with a base hit. Kelly McCarthy drove in a pair of base runners with a two-run single in the second.

Pitt-Bradford chipped away with two runs in the top of the third inning, one in the fourth and two more in the seventh.

The Panthers had the tying and go ahead runs on base with two outs in the seventh, but BSU starter Kathleen Bailey induced a harmless fly-out to end the game.

Bailey (1-1) gave up five runs on 11 hits in the complete game effort. She walked two and fanned five. Three of the five runs were unearned as the Bears committed four errors in the contest.

Heller (2-for-3), McCann (2-for-3) and Karissa Pagan (2-for-4) had two hits apiece to highlight the BSU offense. McCann and Pagan each scored two runs.

Liz Dzurisin suffered the loss in the circle for the Panthers. Dzurisin (0-1) surrendered six runs on six hits and three walks over two innings.

Summers Andrews tossed four innings of scoreless relief to keep the Panthers in the game. Andrews retired 12 of the 14 batters she faced.

Dzurisin went 3-for-4 with two RBI to highlight the Panthers' offense. Amber Fox also had three hits in four at bats and scored a pair of runs.

Wisconsin-Lutheran broke open a 7-7 tie with six runs in the top of the eighth to come away with the 13-7 extra inning win.

McCarthy went 3-for-5 with three RBI in the setback. Morgan Cox smacked a two-run triple and reached on a walk in five plate appearances.

The BSU defense made six errors in the game which led to five unearned runs. The Bears have committed 22 errors over their first six games.

Taylor Bjork went 4-for-5 with a double, a run and four RBI to lead the way for the Warriors. Bjork's two-run double broke the 7-7 deadlock in the eighth. Symphony Arguedas singled twice in five at bats and drove in four runs.

Libby Schellpfeffer picked up the win in relief for Wisconsin Lutheran. Schellpfeffer (2-1) allowed one unearned run in 2 1/3 innings of work.

Bridgewater forced extra innings with a run in the bottom of the seventh. Trailing 7-6, the Bears loaded the bases with one out as Kristyna Flaherty singled, Courtney Banzi walked and Samantha LoPilato reached on a fielder's choice. Courtney Leddy then lofted a pop-up in the infield that was dropped by the shortstop. The Warriors were able to get the force out at second, but Flaherty trotted home from third with the game-tying run.

Three BSU pitchers combined to give up 13 runs (eight earned) on 11 hits, three walks and three hit batsmen while striking out seven.

On Wednesday morning, the Bears take on Northland College at nine followed by an 11 o'clock game against Kenyon College.