GOLDEN, Colo. – The Black Hills State University softball team split a doubleheader with Colorado School of Mines on Sunday afternoon. The Yellow Jackets (3-15, 3-7 RMAC) won the first game, 3-2, before the Orediggers (15-11, 9-5 RMAC) earned the 8-3 victory in game two.

BHSU 3, CSM 2
The Yellow Jackets got things going offensively early in the game, loading the bases in the first and second innings. BHSU was unable to plate any runs, but Melissa Gellermann allowed just three hits in the first five innings to keep the game scoreless headed into the sixth inning.

In the top of the sixth inning, with runners on first and third and no outs, Samantha Gill hit an RBI single down the left field line. The next batter was Bryce Henricksen, who hit a sacrifice fly to left field, bringing across another run.

The Orediggers responded in the bottom of the sixth, scoring two runs with two outs. The two teams headed to the seventh inning tied, 2-2.

Katelyn Odle opened the inning with her team leading fifth double of the year. In the ensuing at bat, Kindall Bethke came to the plate and hit a double of her own, allowing Odle to score and give the Yellow Jackets a slim, 3-2, lead. In the last chance of the game for CSM, Brielle Asato recorded a two-out single, but Gellermann elicited a groundout to end the inning and seal the victory for the Green and Gold.

Odle and Gill each recorded two hits in the game, while Bethke, Maddi Fidler, Brittany Henricksen, Gellermann, and Bryce Henricksen each had a hit. Bethke, Gill, and Bryce Henricksen accounted for the runs batted in.

Melissa Gellermann (2-7) earned the complete game victory for the Yellow Jackets. She allowed two runs on eight hits, while striking out six in 7.0 innings of work.

CSM 8, BHSU 3
The Orediggers got on the board first in game two, going up, 2-0, in the bottom of the first inning. Colorado School of Mines then used a five run second to take a 7-0 lead early.

After getting one runner on in each of the first two innings, the Yellow Jackets were able to capitalize in the third. Bryce Henricksen, Bethke, and Maddie London each recorded runs batted in to bring BHSU within four, 7-3.

In the bottom of the fifth, CSM added an insurance run. The Green and Gold were able to get two runners on in the top of the seventh inning, but were unable to push any more runs across, and ultimately fell, splitting the doubleheader.

Gill and Brittany Henricksen each had two hits in the game, while Odle, Bryce Henricksen, Bethke, London, and Samantha Schoen each recorded one hit.

Alex Wiley (1-5) took the loss in the circle. She allowed seven runs (five earned) in 1.1 innings pitched. Paige McGuire threw 0.2 scoreless innings. Gellermann threw the final 4.0 innings, allowing no earned runs (one unearned) and striking out three.

The Green and Gold will play the Orediggers in another doubleheader on Sunday, March 18. First pitch is scheduled for 10 a.m.
  Black Hills State is located in the Northern Black Hills of South Dakota, sponsoring 13 NCAA sports with membership in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, the NCAA emerging sport of women's triathlon and NIRA rodeo. For all information regarding Yellow Jacket Athletics, please visit BHSUAthletics.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram @BHSUAthletics.