BELOIT, Wis. - The Elmhurst University softball team picked up the first two wins of the 2025 campaign on Saturday (March 22), sweeping a doubleheader at Beloit College.

GAME ONE | ELMHURST 19, BELOIT 8 (8 INN.)

Elmhurst secured a dominant 19-8 victory extra inning win in game one. The game featured explosive offensive performances from both teams. Elmhurst's offense tallied 17 hits and took advantage of seven Beloit errors, including an 11-run eighth inning that sealed the win. Despite a strong start from Beloit, who scored eight runs in the first three innings, they were unable to keep pace with Elmhurst's relentless attack.

Elmhurst's Tia Splitgerber led the charge, going 3-for-5 with three RBIs, two runs scored, and a double. Bailey Proffitt also contributed significantly, finishing 3-for-5 with two RBIs, two runs scored, and a walk, while Hailee Jenkins added a hit, two RBIs, three runs scored, and two walks. On the mound, Ali Mockenhaupt pitched six innings, allowing five runs on eight hits while striking out four.

The game began with Beloit jumping ahead 1-0 in the first inning and extending their lead with two more runs in the second. Elmhurst responded with two runs in the third inning to cut the deficit to 3-2, but Beloit answered back with a five-run outburst, stretching their lead to 8-2.

Elmhurst fought back in the fourth inning, erupting for five runs to narrow the gap to 8-7. As the pitching settled in, both teams were held scoreless in the fifth inning. In the sixth, Elmhurst managed to tie the game at 8-8 with a single run, and the seventh inning saw neither team break the tie.

The decisive blow came in the eighth inning when Elmhurst's offense exploded for 11 runs, putting the game out of reach and securing the impressive 19-8 victory.

GAME TWO | ELMHURST 7, BELOIT 3

Elmhurst secured a 7-3 victory in game two to take the doubleheader sweep. Beloit took an early 2-0 lead in the second inning, but Elmhurst responded with a four-run third inning to take control. The Bluejays added three more insurance runs in the seventh inning to seal the win. Elmhurst collected 11 hits in the game, while Beloit managed six hits and committed two errors.

Pitcher Chiara O'Leary was instrumental in the victory, going the full seven innings, striking out three batters, and allowing only three earned runs.

Leading the way offensively for Elmhurst, O'Leary recorded a triple and later scored, while Danielle Hood added an RBI single. Josie Waite delivered a key double, contributing to the team's offensive surge. The Bluejays were aggressive on the basepaths, stealing seven bases, which helped create additional scoring opportunities. Defensively, despite committing six errors, Elmhurst's pitching and timely outs kept Beloit from mounting a significant comeback.

The game started quietly in the first inning, with both teams failing to score. Beloit struck first in the second inning, capitalizing on hits and Elmhurst's defensive miscues to take a 2-0 lead. However, Elmhurst responded in the third inning with a four-run explosion, highlighted by clutch hitting and aggressive baserunning. The fourth and fifth innings remained scoreless as both teams settled in defensively. Beloit cut the deficit to 4-3 in the sixth inning with a run, but Elmhurst answered in the seventh with three more runs to put the game out of reach. 

UP NEXT

The Bluejays take on Aurora in a doubleheader on Tuesday, March 25 beginning at 3:00 p.m. in Aurora, Ill.

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