In the second game of a doubleheader Tuesday against Bluffton University, the Alma Softball team came up short in a very entertaining 1-0 loss, a game that saw both teams play very good defense and have few offensive opportunities. After the day's split with the Beavers, the Scots are now 10-7 on the 2009 season, while Buffton goes home with a mark of 13-7.
The only scoring threat in the early innings came when the Beavers loaded the bases in the top of the third, but the threat died when 3B Jayme Marbaugh lined out to Alma Jr. SS Houston Verbeck (Burton, MI/Flint Kearsley) for the third out.
The Scots' best opportunity to score came when Jr. 2B Kasey Miller (Grand Ledge, MI/Grand Ledge) tripled with two outs in the bottom of the fourth inning, but did not score as Fr. DH Emily Ross (Buchanan, MI/Buchanan) grounded out to second base. The only other Scot to get into scoring position the rest of the way was So. CF Kelly Koenigsknecht (Fowler, MI/Fowler), when she reached first on a bunt single and stole second with two outs in the fifth inning.
But Alma was unable to score, as Jr. LF Kelsey Rightensburg (Lexington, MI/Croswell-Lexington) grounded out to third as Bluffton's Marbaugh, who had a monster game at the hot corner with nine assists, gobbled up a grounder and threw it to first for the final out of the inning.
Bluffton broke threw in the top of the sixth inning in what would prove to be the winning run, as C Meagan Price reached first on a hit by pitch to start the inning. Price advanced to second on a throwing error by Alma Sr. C Trista Geier (Livonia, MI/Livonia), and after a strike out to the next batter, the Scots threw an intentional walk to put runners on first and second with one out.
The Beavers loaded the bases when the next batter reached on a bunt single and then the next hitter reached first on a throwing miscue by Verbeck, which allowed Price to score for the 1-0 advantage. The Scots did throw the runner out from second, who was trying to score and got out of the inning when So. P Brittany Grys (Portland, MI/Portland) struck out the final hitter of the inning.
Any hopes for a comeback did not materialize as the Scots sent six batters to the plate in the final two innings and had six outs, with four of those assists coming from Marbaugh, securing the 1-0 win for Bluffton.
The Scots mustered just three hits in the nightcap, with Koenigsknecht getting one of those and notching two more steals on the day, giving her four overall in the two games. Miller and Jr. RF Sarah Johnson (Portland, MI/Portland) had the other Alma hits. Grys pitched well in the loss, giving up three hits, striking out seven batters and giving up four walks.
After a doubleheader in the MIAA opener Thursday at Albion College, the Scots will return for the league home opener against Hope College on Saturday afternoon at Scots Park. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
