Bluffton, OH - The Manchester University Softball team traveled to Bluffton, OH to take on the Beavers of Bluffton University in a mid-week HCAC Doubleheader.

The Spartans came out on top in both games with game one going into extra innings and the Spartans prevailing 4-2, and game two finishing in six innings with the Spartan victory of 13-5.

Game 1 Manchester 4, Bluffton 2 (8 Inn.)

Manchester University were triumphant over Bluffton University 4-2 on Wednesday.

The Spartans opened the scoring in the first after Kaitlyn Carr (Valparaiso, Ind., Chesterton) doubled, scoring one run. Bluffton University tied the game at one in the bottom of the third, however Manchester took the lead in the top of the seventh after an error scored one run, to give Manchester University the lead, 2-1. Bluffton homered to center field, which helped the Beavers tie the game at two in the bottom of the seventh. In the top of the eighth, Manchester University broke up the tie when an error scored one run. Then a ground out by Crystal Cooke (Richmond, Ky., Madison Southern) followed to extend the lead to 4-2.

Lizzy Willis (Yorktown, Ind., Yorktown) earned the win for Manchester University, her fourth of the year. The starting pitcher allowed eight hits and two runs over eight innings, striking out two and walking three.

Manchester University's Molly Gilhooly (Mount Prospect, Ill., Prospect), the number eight hitter, led Manchester with two hits in two at bats. Carr went 1-for-4 at the plate and led the team with one run batted in. Manchester University turned two double plays in the game.

Game 2 Manchester 13, Bluffton 5 (6 Inn.)

Manchester University won big over Bluffton University 13-5 on Wednesday.

Manchester University got on the board in the top of the first inning after Bluffton University committed an error, and Erin Singleton (Brownstown, Ind., Brownstown Central) grounded into a fielder's choice, each scoring one run. The Spartans added to their early lead in the top of the second inning after Kaitlyn Carr singled down the left field line, Sabrina Leonard (Fillmore, Ind., South Putnam) grounded into a fielder's choice, and Crystal Cooke singled down the left field line, each scoring one run. The Black & Gold scored five runs on five hits in the top of the fourth inning. Erin Singleton singled, scoring one run, Lexi Goodman (Poplar, Ill., North Boone) singled, scoring two runs, an error scored one run, and Lizzy Willis singled, scoring one run.

Julianne Gosnell (Amboy, Ind., Oak Hill) earned the win for Manchester University to improve to 4-0 on the year. The pitcher gave up 10 hits and five runs (three earned) over five innings, striking out three and walking three. Kaitlyn Carr threw one inning of shutout ball for Manchester University in relief. The reliever surrendered one hit, striking out none and walking none.

Manchester University tallied 16 hits in the game. Kaitlyn Carr, Molly Gilhooly, Sabrina Leonard, Lexi Goodman, Lizzy Willis, Crystal Cooke, and Kendal Rider (Otterbein, Ind., Lafayette Central Catholic) each collected two hits for Manchester University. Carr, Singleton, Goodman, and Willis each drove in two runs for Manchester University. Rider stole two bases. Manchester University worked the count all day, tallying four walks. Manchester University ran wild on the base paths, collecting seven stolen bases for the game.

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