ELMHURST, Ill. - The Elmhurst University softball team dropped their home-opening doubleheader to Benedictine University Thursday afternoon at Salt Creek Park.

GAME ONE | ELMHURST 6, BENEDICTINE 12

The Bluejays fell short in a high-scoring battle in game one, losing 12-6. Despite a resilient offensive effort, Elmhurst was unable to overcome Benedictine's explosive hitting performance. The game saw early and consistent scoring from both teams, but a decisive fifth inning by Benedictine put the game out of reach.

Bailey Proffitt, Ali Mockenhaupt, and Clara Rice led the Bluejays' offense, each contributing crucial RBIs. Rice also showcased her power with a solo home run. Brenna Morley added to the offensive push with two hits and an RBI. On the base paths, Mockenhaupt and Morley each recorded a stolen base. Pitching duties were split between Chiara O'Leary and Kylie Hoyh, with O'Leary taking the loss after allowing 11 runs, nine of them earned, over 4.2 innings.

The game began with Benedictine striking first, as M. Johnson's RBI single plated two runs in the top of the first. Elmhurst responded in the bottom half when Danielle Hood's sacrifice fly brought Mockenhaupt home, making it 2-1.

In the second inning, Benedictine extended their lead with a B. Deutscher RBI single, but Elmhurst answered right back with an O'Leary sacrifice fly, cutting the deficit to 3-2.

The third inning saw Benedictine capitalize again with a two-run homer from M. Johnson, pushing their advantage to 5-2. Elmhurst kept fighting as Mockenhaupt delivered an RBI single to keep the game within reach at 5-3.

Benedictine continued their offensive surge in the fourth when H. Barnes launched a two-run homer to extend the lead to 7-3. Elmhurst countered with a strong bottom half, as Rice homered to right center, followed by a fielder's choice RBI from Morley and a sacrifice fly from Proffitt, trimming Benedictine's lead to 7-6.

The game's turning point came in the fifth inning when Benedictine erupted for four runs. L. Bogard, B. Deutscher, M. Bruno, and T. Oppenhuis each contributed RBIs, extending the lead to 11-6.

A final insurance run for Benedictine came in the seventh when J. Bartke scored on a wild pitch, sealing the 12-6 victory.

GAME TWO | ELMHURST 6, BENEDICTINE 12

Fighting against the sunset towards the end of game two, Benedictine secured a 4-1 victory to sweep the doubleheader, with timely hitting and solid pitching leading the way. After a tied contest in the third inning, Benedictine took control with a three-run fourth inning and never looked back. Elmhurst managed to tally seven hits but could not capitalize on key opportunities, ultimately falling short against a strong performance by Benedictine pitcher J. Lozano.

Brenna Morley provided the lone run for Elmhurst with a solo home run in the third inning. Grace Hayes and Tia Splitgerber each recorded a double, while Hailee Jenkins swiped a base. The Bluejays finished with seven hits but struggled to string them together for additional runs. Pitcher Kylie Hoyh took the loss, surrendering four earned runs on ten hits over 3.2 innings, while Ali Mockenhaupt pitched well in relief, allowing just one hit over 3.1 innings.

The game remained scoreless through the first two innings as both teams found their footing. In the top of the third, Benedictine struck first when M. Bruno scored on an RBI single by H. Barnes. Elmhurst responded immediately in the bottom half of the inning as Morley blasted a solo home run to left-center, evening the score at 1-1.

Benedictine took control in the fourth inning, stringing together a series of hits to plate three runs. J. Bartke led off the inning with a walk and later scored on an RBI single from B. Deutscher. M. Bruno followed with a run-scoring single of his own before H. Barnes drove in another run with a base hit through the left side, extending the lead to 4-1.

From that point forward, Elmhurst struggled to mount a comeback against J. Lozano, who threw a complete game, allowing just one run while striking out six. The Bluejays put runners on base but were unable to push across any additional runs, ultimately falling to Benedictine in a hard-fought contest.

UP NEXT

The Bluejays host Dominican University this Sunday, March 30, with a doubleheader beginning at 1:00 p.m.

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