Bruins erase six-run deficit, split Friday doubleheader at Providence
GREAT FALLS, Mont. — The Bellevue University softball team split a Frontier Conference doubleheader with the University of Providence on Friday at the Multi-Sports Complex. The Argos took the opener 5-2, but the Bruins responded in the nightcap, erasing a six-run deficit with a relentless offensive attack and stellar relief pitching from Daniela Ramirez to secure a 12-7 victory.
Following the split, Bellevue stands at 18-17 overall and 8-6 in Frontier Conference play. Providence sits at 18-19 overall and 10-6 in league action.
Game 1: University of Providence 5, Bellevue University 2
The Argos utilized timely hitting and capitalized on free passes to take the opener, backed by a complete-game effort from Ashley Mitchell in the circle.
How It Happened
Providence struck first in the bottom of the first inning when Kasidy Yeoman singled, advanced on a wild pitch, and scored on an RBI single to center field by Erin Bishop. Bellevue answered in the top of the second after Kaitlyn Fisher doubled to center field and eventually scored on an RBI groundout to the pitcher by Emma Crisman.
The Argos reclaimed the lead immediately in the bottom of the second. Following two hit batters, Mia Monroe laced an RBI single to center field and Aleana Aionaaka added a run-scoring sacrifice groundout back to the pitcher to push the UP lead to 3-1. Providence extended its advantage in the fourth. Tehneson Ehnes ripped an RBI triple to right field to score Yeoman, and Ehnes later scored on a pickoff throw to first base, making it 5-1.
Bellevue fought back in the sixth when Marguerite Brown launched a leadoff solo home run to center field. After a single to left field by Abby Dworak later in the frame, Mitchell retired the final five Bruins to earn the 5-2 victory.
Lindsey Dressman took the loss for Bellevue, allowing two runs on four hits in three innings of relief. Mitchell earned the win, scattering five hits and allowing two runs over seven innings.
Inside the Numbers
- Bellevue: 2 runs on 5 hits, 2 errors, 4 LOB; University of Providence: 5 runs on 7 hits, 0 errors, 11 LOB
- Bellevue went 1-for-4 with runners in scoring position
- Brown provided the primary power for the Bruins, going 1-for-3 with a solo home run
- Providence stranded 11 runners on base despite the victory
Game 2: Bellevue University 12, University of Providence 7
The Bruins bounced back with a massive offensive performance, racking up 15 hits and overcoming an early 7-1 deficit behind five shutout innings of relief from Ramirez.
How It Happened
Bellevue jumped ahead in the first when Miranda Garcia drew a bases-loaded walk to score Brown, but the Argos answered with a sacrifice fly to left field by Ehnes in the bottom half. Providence then exploded for six runs in the second inning. Madison Moultray sparked the rally with a triple, and the Argos strung together five run-scoring hits, including a two-run double by Aionaaka, an RBI triple to left field from Ehnes, and run-scoring singles from Ella Galloway, Yeoman, and Erin Bishop to take a commanding 7-1 lead.
Bellevue clawed right back into the game in the third. Leslie Egan cleared the bases with a three-run double to center field, and Macie Wyman followed with an RBI single to center field to cut the deficit to 7-5. Ramirez entered the circle for the Bruins in the bottom of the third and immediately shut down the Providence offense.
The Bruins inched closer in the fifth when Garcia delivered an RBI single to left field to score Breanne McMurtry, making it a 7-6 game.
Bellevue broke the game open with a six-run seventh inning. Egan drew a bases-loaded walk to tie the game, and Wyman followed with an RBI single to center field to give the Bruins the lead. Savannah Short added a sacrifice fly to center field, Laila Fiscus ripped a two-run double to left field, and Mariah Unverzagt capped the surge with an RBI single. Ramirez pitched around a one-out single to left field in the bottom of the seventh to secure the comeback win.
Ramirez earned her first victory of the season, tossing five scoreless innings and yielding just five hits while striking out two. Moultray suffered the loss, allowing 15 hits and 11 earned runs in a complete-game effort.
Inside the Numbers
- Bellevue: 12 runs on 15 hits, 0 errors, 5 LOB; University of Providence: 7 runs on 13 hits, 0 errors, 8 LOB
- Bellevue went a blistering 8-for-11 with runners in scoring position
- Ramirez entered the game having pitched just two-thirds of an inning all season before delivering five pivotal shutout frames
- Egan drove in a team-high four runs, including a crucial three-run double to center field in the third inning
Top Performers
(Totals reflect combined numbers from both games unless otherwise noted)
Bellevue University
- Marguerite Brown — 4-for-8, HR, 4 R, 1 RBI
- Miranda Garcia — 2-for-4, 2 R, 2 RBI, 3 BB
- Leslie Egan — 1-for-6, 2B, 1 R, 4 RBI
- Kaitlyn Fisher — 3-for-5, 2B, 4 R
- Macie Wyman — 2-for-4, 1 R, 2 RBI (Game 2)
- Laila Fiscus — 1-for-4, 2B, 1 R, 2 RBI (Game 2)
- Daniela Ramirez — Win (1-0), 5.0 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 2 K (Game 2)
University of Providence
- Aleana Aionaaka — 2-for-7, 2 2B, 2 R, 3 RBI
- Tehneson Ehnes — 2-for-8, 2 3B, 2 R, 3 RBI
- Kasidy Yeoman — 3-for-7, 2B, 3 R, 1 RBI
- Madison Moultray — 3-for-4, 3B, 1 R (Game 2)
- Ashley Mitchell — Win (6-6), 7.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 K (Game 1)
Up Next:
The two teams will complete the four-game conference series with a 1 p.m. (CT) doubleheader tomorrow (April 11) in Great Falls.