Argos sweep Saturday doubleheader to take series
GREAT FALLS, Mont. — The Bellevue University softball team suffered a pair of setbacks to close out a four-game Frontier Conference series with the University of Providence on Saturday at the Multi-Sports Complex. The Argos used a six-run third inning to take the opener 10-6 before Tehneson Ehnes delivered a walk-off two-run home run in the bottom of the seventh inning to hand the Bruins an 8-7 defeat in the series finale.
Following the sweep, Bellevue fell to 18-19 overall and 8-8 in Frontier Conference play. Providence improved to 20-19 on the season and 12-6 in league action. With Saturday's sweep and Friday's split, the Argos took the four-game series, 3-1.
Game 1: University of Providence 10, Bellevue University 6
Providence relied on three home runs from Ehnes and a six-run third inning to pull away from Bellevue in the opening contest.
How It Happened
Providence struck first in the bottom of the first inning when Ehnes delivered a run-scoring sacrifice groundout to second base. Bellevue answered in the top of the second as Kaitlyn Fisher laced an RBI double to left field to knot the score at 1-1. The Bruins grabbed the lead in the third when Breanne McMurtry launched a solo home run to center field.
The Argos responded immediately with a six-run outburst in the bottom of the third. Kasidy Yeoman tied the game with a sacrifice fly to left field, and Ehnes followed with a solo home run to center field. Tiffany Fuentes added an RBI single to right field, Mia Monroe laced an RBI double to center field, and Ella Galloway capped the surge with a two-run single to center field that included an outfield error.
Ehnes extended the Providence advantage to 8-2 in the fourth with a solo home run to right field. Bellevue got a run back in the fifth on an RBI fielder's choice from Mariah Unverzagt and cut the deficit to 8-6 in the sixth when McMurtry hit a three-run home run to left field. However, Ehnes halted the comeback attempt in the bottom of the sixth with a two-run home run to right field to seal the 10-6 victory.
Inside the Numbers
- Bellevue: 6 runs on 9 hits, 3 errors, 8 LOB; University of Providence: 10 runs on 12 hits, 1 error, 6 LOB
- Bellevue went 2-for-10 with runners in scoring position
- McMurtry and Ehnes combined for five home runs in the contest, with Ehnes launching three for the Argos
- One of Providence's 10 runs was unearned following a fielding error in center field during the third inning
Game 2: University of Providence 8, Bellevue University 7
The Bruins and Argos traded blows in a series finale that featured five total home runs, ultimately ending on a walk-off blast from Ehnes in the final frame.
How It Happened
Bellevue struck first in the second inning when Savannah Short ripped an RBI double to right field. Providence answered in the bottom half with a solo home run to center field by Alix Bishop and an RBI single to left field from Kaily Gull.
The Bruins reclaimed the lead in the third. McMurtry delivered an RBI single, and Unverzagt added a run-scoring sacrifice fly to center field to make it 3-2. The Argos countered in the bottom of the third as Erin Bishop lined an RBI double to left field and Alix Bishop launched a two-run home run to right field, putting Providence ahead 5-3. Gull extended the lead to 6-3 in the fourth with a solo home run to right field.
Bellevue began its rally in the sixth when Marguerite Brown hit a two-run home run to right field. In the top of the seventh, Emma Crisman laced a two-run double to right field, putting the Bruins ahead 7-6.
Trailing by a run in the bottom of the seventh, Providence's Yeoman led off with a double to left field. Ehnes then stepped to the plate and delivered a walk-off two-run home run to right field, securing the 8-7 victory and the series sweep for the Argos.
Inside the Numbers
- Bellevue: 7 runs on 9 hits, 0 errors, 8 LOB; University of Providence: 8 runs on 12 hits, 1 error, 4 LOB
- Bellevue went 4-for-12 with runners in scoring position
- The two teams combined for five home runs, all accounting for multiple runs or crucial lead changes
- Providence's Tehneson Ehnes finished the day with four total home runs across the doubleheader
Top Performers
(Totals reflect combined numbers from both games unless otherwise noted)
Bellevue University
- Breanne McMurtry — 4-for-8, 2 HR, 3 R, 5 RBI
- Kaitlyn Fisher — 3-for-7, 2 2B, 2 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB
- Marguerite Brown — 3-for-7, HR, 2B, 3 R, 2 RBI, 1 BB
- Emma Crisman — 2-for-7, 2B, 2 RBI, 1 BB
- Mariah Unverzagt — 2-for-6, 2B, 1 R, 2 RBI, 1 BB
- Savannah Short — 1-for-4, 2B, 1 RBI (Game 2)
University of Providence
- Tehneson Ehnes — 4-for-7, 4 HR, 4 R, 7 RBI
- Alix Bishop — 2-for-6, 2 HR, 3 R, 3 RBI, 1 HBP
- Erin Bishop — 3-for-6, 3 2B, 2 R, 1 RBI
- Kasidy Yeoman — 3-for-5, 2B, 3 R, 1 RBI
- Aleana Aionaaka — 2-for-7, 2B, 1 R
- Madison White — Win (1-3), 3.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 0 K (Game 1)
- Kaily Gull — Win (1-2), 2.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 0 K (Game 2)
Up Next:
The Bruins return home next Wednesday, April 15, for a 2 p.m. Frontier Conference doubleheader against Dakota State University at the Renner Dennis Outdoor Athletic Complex.