Bluffton, Ohio - The Alma College softball team took down Bluffton University in both games of a doubleheader earlier this afternoon (Mar. 18). Alma came out with bats swinging in the first game downing the Beavers 11-1 in five innings before taking them down a second time, 8-4 in the second game. 

At the conclusion of the game Alma's win streak jumps to four and their overall record sits at 13-5 on the 2016 season. Bluffton dropped to an even .500 on the season at 6-6.

Game One:
Alma 11, Bluffton 1

Alma notched at least one run in the first three innings of the five inning first game. Junior Anna Couture (Posen, Mich./Posen), who led the squad going 2-2 in her at bats in the first game had the lead off single. After a sacrifice, sophomore Mary Brooks (Portland, Mich./Portland) hit the RBI single for the quick 1-0 lead. 

The top of the second inning was no different for the Scots as they added two more runs to the board on three hits, leaving one Scot on base. Alma's defense was relentless bringing down Bluffton's first three batters in the bottom of the second.

The top of the third inning sealed the deal for the Scots, crossing the plate a grand total of eight times to push the 11-0 lead. Alma capitalized on errors in this inning while Bluffton had three errors in the inning alone and five of the Scots runs were unearned runs.

Alma had a few quick innings on the defensive end and allowed just one run for Bluffton in the bottom of the fifth but it was not enough for the Beavers as Alma concluded the game in five innings 11-1. 

Couture went 2-2 in the game, crossed the plate two times and recorded one RBI. Junior Danielle Service (Mason, Mich./Mason) was 2-3 also with two runs and one RBI.

Junior Morgan Stratton (Grand Blanc, Mich./Grand Blanc) was in the circle for the majority of the game pitching 4.1 innings. She allowed only one hit and chalked up six strikeouts.

Game Two:
Alma 8, Bluffton 4

The second game was similar as the Scots were quick to get the offense going with a solo shot from Brooks to make it 1-0 in the top of the first. 

Bluffton answered in the bottom of the first with an RBI double from Kelsi Wilson and a two run home run from third baseman, Josie McElroy to make it 3-1 through one inning. 

The Scots would rebound quickly adding three runs in the second inning with an RBI from Courture and senior Kayla Merice (Dorr, Mich./Wayland). While senior Kassidi Adams (Montrose, Mich./Montrose) scored stealing home helping the Scots to a 4-3 advantage advantage through two. 

Both teams would score in third inning but Alma got the first chance when freshman Chelsea Schweiger (St. Clair, Mich./St. Clair) knocked an RBI single scoring Service with two outs on the board. A lead off single followed by an RBI single added the run for the Beavers bringing the score 5-4 through three innings. 

Bluffton would not score again the rest of the game and Alma put the nail in the coffin in the fifth inning scoring three more runs. With two outs and two players on base, Alma scored three back to back runs in two batters as sophomore Erin Lee (Commerce, Mich./Walled Lake Northern) and Couture both recorded RBI singles. 

In the next three innings Alma retired Bluffton's first three batters to earn the 8-4 win over the Bluffton Beavers. Couture picked up team-high three RBI's in the win. 

Stratton pitched the majority of the second game for 6.2 innings allowing four hits, one earned run but striking out six batters to pick up her second win of the day. She now has an overall record of 8-3 from the circle this season. 

Alma will have another double header tomorrow (Mar. 19) just down the road against Ohio Northern University. The first game is set for 1:00 p.m. and the second will begin right after the conclusion of game one.

QUOTE:

Head Coach Denny Griffin

"The team played well today especially since the group was fighting some illness earlier in the week. Offensively the team had good at bats and some timely hitting. We worked on some defensive plays at practice this week and it paid off today. Now we turn our focus to league play next weekend."