Softball Hits Three Home Runs in Sweep of Wartburg

The offense came to life in impressive fashion for the Buena Vista softball team on Saturday afternoon, as it took a pair of Iowa Conference games from Wartburg College by scores of 5-3 and 12-5.

The Knights held a 2-0 lead in the opener heading to the fifth inning, and that is when the Beavers erupted for four runs on three hits, including a two-run home run from Sam Engleman, followed later in the inning by a two-run double by Erin Kliefoth.

Jessica Stocker then gave the team a key insurance run in the sixth with a two-out RBI double to center, scoring Jordon Pilcher all the way from first.

Sam Knudsen led the way at the plate by going 3-for-4, while Kliefoth followed with two hits.

Chancey Wilcke picked up her 12^th win of the year by going the distance and scattering six hits, while striking out five.

It was virtually all Beavers in the finale, as the team jumped out two a quick 2-0 lead in the first when Wilcke helped her own cause with a two-run double to left – the first of her three two-baggers in the game.  They then made it 4-0 in the third when Stocker singled to shortstop with one out before coming around to score on Stephanie Hayden’s triple.  Hayden then made it 4-0 when she scored on the throw.

The Knights tried to stay close by adding two runs of their own in the fourth to make it 4-2, but BVU got a run back in the fifth to make it 5-2 before scoring four runs in the sixth, including a two-run home run from Kliefoth, to make it 9-2.

Wartburg got a couple runs back in the sixth before BVU put the finishing touches on the win with three runs in the seventh, including Engleman’s second two-run homer of the day.  The Knights closed with a run in the bottom half for the game’s final score.

Wilcke finishes the contest going 3-for-4 at the plate with a pair of RBI and two runs scored, while Hayden also tallied three hits, to go along with an RBI and three runs scored.  Knudsen had another big game, finishing with three hits, as the Beavers pounded out 16 in the contest.

Wilcke improved to 13-8 on the mound with the win, working six innings, allowing four runs (two earned) on six hits, while striking out six.

Buena Vista is now 16-12 overall (6-6 IIAC) and will now wrap-up its home schedule when its hosts Central College on Tuesday afternoon at 3:00pm.  It will also be Senior Day for the Beavers, with the seniors being introduced and recognized prior to the start of the games.

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