GILLETTE, Wyo. – The Black Hills State University softball team split a doubleheader with Chadron State College on Saturday afternoon. The Eagles (11-18, 9-10 RMAC) took the first game, 3-2, in 11 innings, before the Yellow Jackets (6-18, 6-10 RMAC) won 2-1 in game two.

CSC 3, BHSU 2 (11 innings)
The first four innings of the game were a defensive affair, with the Eagles recording one hit, and the Yellow Jackets held hitless. Freshman pitcher struck out nine batters during that time, including striking out the side in the third inning.

In the bottom of the fifth, Maddie London opened the inning with a double to the center field fence. Makenzi Strong came on to pinch run, and moved over to third base on a wild pitch. Another wild pitch allowed her to come across and score, putting BHSU up, 1-0.

However, Chadron State responded in the top of the sixth, scoring two runs of its own to take the lead, 2-1.

Down to their last chance in the bottom of the seventh, the Yellow Jackets opened the inning with a walk by Samantha Gill. Two batters later, Samantha Schoen was hit by a pitch, before Claire Fergusson singled to left field to load the bases with one out. Brittany Henricksen came up to bat and walked after a XX pitch at bat, tying the game, 2-2. BHSU was unable to score any more, however, and the game went to extra innings.

Neither team was able to get anything going until the 11th inning, when the Eagles plated a run, going up, 3-2. The Yellow Jackets were unable to respond, and fell in the extra inning game.

Kindall Bethke had two hits, while Maddie London, Gill, Fergusson, and Makayla Perry each had a hit in the game. Brittany Henricksen recorded a run batted in.

Melissa Gellermann (3-9) took the loss in the circle. She allowed three runs in 11.0 innings, scattering just six hits and striking out a career-high 18 batters.

BHSU 2, CSC 1
The Yellow Jackets got on the board first in the final game of the series, scoring two runs in the bottom of the first inning. Makenzi Strong earned a one-out walk, stole second, and moved over to third on a double by Kindall Bethke. The speedster then came around to score on a wild pitch, with Bethke moving over to third. After Samantha Gill and Bryce Henricksen each worked walks to load the bases, Maddi Fidler was hit by a pitch to bring across another run.

Although the Eagles got runners on base in every inning, the Green and Gold defense kept CSC off the board, including using a double play in the fourth inning to erase a runner in scoring position. The Yellow Jackets also stranded multiple runners, leaving 10 runners aboard throughout the game.

In the top of the seventh, the Eagles loaded the bases with two outs. Aspen Eubanks hit an RBI single through the left side, but the next batter lined out to end the threat, and secure the RMAC victory for the Green and Gold.

Brittany Henricksen had two hits, while Strong, Bethke, and London each recorded a hit in the game. Maddi Fidler had an RBI.

Alex Wiley (3-6) earned the victory, throwing the first 5.0 innings, and then coming in to close out the final 0.2 innings. She allowing no runs on five hits, and struck out one. Paige McGuire threw 1.1 innings, allowing one run and striking out one.

The Green and Gold next travel to New Mexico Highlands for a four-game series on Friday, March 30, and Saturday, March 31. First pitch is scheduled for noon on Friday.
  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.