Softball Splits with Ripon

CHATHAM, IL -- The Blackburn College Softball team hosted Ripon College Friday and came away with a split as they won the opener 6-5 but fell in the nightcap. 

Senior Caroline Gibson had a team-best three hits and tied for the team's lead with three runs batted in. Freshman Addison Ruyle also had three RBI's and was one of six to post two hits. 

The Beavers scored first in the opener, putting across four runs with two outs in the second inning. Sophomore Mailee Schoen got things started with a double and scored on a single from freshman Kharma Giles. After advancing to third on an error on a ball hit by senior Sierra Hiser, Alexis Webber knocked in Hiser and Giles with a double. Senior Breana Allen came up next and her singled scored Webber and put Blackburn ahead 4-0. 

The Red Hawks narrowed the gap in the third inning and took a lead in the fourth with four runs of their own. Blackburn stopped the run by tying the score in their fifth. Junior Kenadee Frey walked scored the tying run off Gibson's double. 

The teams were still tied entering the seventh inning. Ripon managed a walk but then saw the next three batters get out to have the score 5-5 entering the bottom of the seventh. Junior Kailynn Kruep started the inning with a double. After an out, and a walk from senior Zoe Mitchell, Gibson came up and hit a ball to centerfield. An error by the fielder helped Kruep cross home plate and gave Blackburn the 6-5 victory. 

In the nightcap, Mitchell scored from a single Ruyle which made the score 1-1 in the second inning. The Red Hawks added two runs in the third, two in the fifth and added five in the sixth to lead 10-1. Blackburn answered with five runs in the bottom of the sixth and scored one in the seventh but it wouldn't be enough as they fell 10-7. 

Blackburn will return to action Saturday to host Lawrence University.