BU edges Hastings in non-conference sweep
Kelli Fisher picked up a pair of wins. Kaitlyn Kinman hit a walk-off two-run single in the opener. Erin Sharpe launched her 20th home run of the season.
Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score
BELLEVUE, Neb. -- The 25th-ranked Bellevue University softball team pulled out a pair of one-run wins Tuesday over Hastings College in non-conference action at the Lied Center. The Bruins won by scores of 2-1 and 3-2.
Bellevue improved to 39-12 overall on the season with the sweep. Hastings fell to 29-21 on the year.
The Bruins will host York College on Thursday, April 27, in a 5 p.m. doubleheader at the Lied Center. Bellevue's four seniors, Kelli Fisher, Kaitlyn Goney, Sydney Robertson and Courtney Schendt will be honored in between games.
Game 1: Bellevue 2, Hastings 1
Kaitlyn Kinman's walk-off two-run single sparked the Bruins to the 2-1 win in the opener.
Neither team threatened until the Bruins had runners on second and third with no outs in the bottom of the sixth. Bronco pitcher Josie Bumgardner got out of the jam, retiring three straight batters on a strikeout, pop up and ground out.
After a hit batsmen and a walk by Kelli Fisher, the Broncos scored the first run of the game with an RBI single to right field by Chloe Boeka in the top of the seventh. Hastings then loaded the bases on a single by Corrin Ziepke. Fisher prevented any more damage inducing a pop up and a strikeout as the Broncos took a 1-0 lead heading into the bottom of the seventh.
After Bumgardner surrendered two walks and a hit batsmen to load the bases with two outs in the bottom of the seventh, Kinman drove in two runs with a single to center field to end the contest.
Fisher (23-4) earned the win, scattering four hits with one walk and five strikeouts in four innings of work. Bumgardner (10-6) was tagged with the loss, allowing four hits, with seven walks and eight strikeouts in 6.2 innings in the circle.
Game 2: Bellevue 3, Hastings 2
Erin Sharpe went 2-for-3 at the plate with a double, home run and two RBIs to pace the BU offense and Fisher picked up her second victory as the Bruins secured the 3-2 win and the sweep.
A two-run homer to right center by Sharpe gave the Bruins an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first. It marked Sharpe's team-leading 20th home run of the season.
The Broncos responded in the top of the second with a solo home run by Taylor Asche to slice the lead to 2-1.
An RBI single to right field by Sydney Robertson scored Hannah Carter to give BU a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the third.
The Broncos made it a one-run game in the top of the sixth with Ziepke's solo shot over the left field fence, narrowing the margin to 3-2.
Fisher picked up her 24th win of the season, one shy of tying the school record. She allowed four hits with no walks and seven strikeouts in seven innings in the circle.