Blackburn Falls to Westminster

On Saturday, March 22, the Beavers drove to Fulton, Missouri to face the Westminster Blue Jays.

In game one, both teams held strong with no runs scored during the first inning. That all changed in the bottom of the second, with the Blue Jays loosening up to pitcher Amber Byrley, they were able to score four runs before the end of the inning. Blackburn continued to battle, but could only bring in two runs of their own before the end of the game.

Game two was an entirely different story. Blackburn came out to the field as a whole new team. Westminster scored one run in the first inning, but the Beavers were not going to let that get them down. In the top of the third, first baseman Erica Wilson, singled to bring in Mary Chamberlain and Lauren Rhodes, also advancing Melissa Heigert to second. Soon after, catcher Kate Tickner reached on a fielders choice, bring Heigert home and advancing the score to 3-1. In the fourth inning, Blackburn aimed for some insurance runs, with Chamberlain doubling and scoring shortstop Aimee Kerley. With a 4-1 lead, Blackburn was feeling confident, but the Blue Jays weren't ready to give up yet. In the bottom of the fourth, Westminster managed to get in two runs of their own on a double and a sacrifice fly, closing the gap to 4-3. During the fifth inning, both teams played hard. With three batters up, each team made three consecutive outs. In the top of the sixth, Blackburn hoped to expand their lead on the Blue Jays. With Caz Buie in to pinch hit for Byrley, Buie singled and then advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Meghan Ude. Before grounding out from center field to second base, Rhodes managed to earn an RBI and Buie scored, expanding Blackburns lead to 5-3. In the bottom of the sixth, Blackburn tried to hold the lead, but Westminster managed to score three runs on errors at second base and took the lead, 6-5. Blackburn tried to earn one more run in the seventh, but couldn't seem to find a gap through the Blue Jays defense and the game ended, 6-5.

The Beavers are now 3-11 overall and 1-3 in conference. They will travel to St. Louis, Missouri on Tuesday, March 25, to face Missouri Baptist in a non-conference game.