BEREA, Ky. - A five-hour trip down Interstate 75 on Saturday, April 19, was just what the doctor ordered for the Bluffton University softball team. The Beavers dominated Berea College for a sweep of the Mountaineers on Easter weekend. Bluffton improved to 12-18 overall and 2-8 in the Heartland Conference, while the hosts fell to 2-24 and 0-10 in the HCAC.

Sophomore Taryn Hampton (Fostoria/Hopewell Louden) doubled and scored following a bunt single from senior Mia McCartney (North Baltimore) in the top of the second. An inning later, the Beavers got to Berea for four unearned runs. A bases-loaded walk to freshman Tianna Galbraith (Wayne/Elmwood) followed by a bases-clearing two-bagger from Kayleigh Michael (Eaton/National Trail) made it 5-0 in favor of the good guys.

McCartney doubled home Hampton and Riley Hammonds (Russia) in the fourth, pushing the lead to 7-0, before a five-spot in the seventh made the final score 12-1. Sophomore Ella McCombs (Springfield/Southeastern) tripled to left center, scoring pinch runner Hailey Lennard (North Baltimore) and Galbraith. Kaylee Grant (Lima/Shawnee) and McCartney then sandwiched RBI ground balls around a Hampton run-scoring double.

Hampton was a perfect 4-of-4 with three runs scored. McCartney, Michael and Hammonds all chipped in with two hits. McCartney drove in three runs, while Hammonds scored three times.

Freshman Grace Gronberg (Danville) was sensational in the circle, tossing a three-hitter. She allowed just one unearned run with three strikeouts and two walks while improving to 5-9 on the season.

A second lights-out pitching performance in the span of four hours paved the way for a Bluffton sweep on Saturday. Senior Hayley Lewis (Kettering/Fairmont) scattered eight hits in a complete-game shutout on the way to a 5-0 victory. She struck out four and issued zero free passes with four strikeouts while improving to 5-6 on the season.

Galbraith and McCombs drove in runs in the fourth inning, giving the visitors a 2-0 lead. Hampton singled home Caitlyn Cunningham (Lima/Upper Scioto Valley) in the sixth and the Beavers crossed the dish two more times an inning later. Galbraith picked up McCartney and McCombs plated Ella McLear (Greenville) for the 5-0 final score.

Hampton, Galbraith and McCartney all spanked two hits in game two. Galbraith and McCombs both drove in two runs, while McCartney scored twice.

Bluffton goes back to work on Tuesday, April 22, when the Beavers welcome Transylvania University for a 3 p.m. Heartland Conference doubleheader.

-BEAVERS-