LAS VEGAS, N.M. – The Black Hills State University softball team swept a doubleheader against New Mexico Highlands University on Saturday afternoon. The Yellow Jackets (8-2, 8-12 RMAC) took down the Cowgirls (7-25, 3-20 RMAC) 15-5, in the first game, before winning game two, 4-1. BHSU and NMHU split the four-game series.

BHSU 15, NMHU 5
The Yellow Jackets got things going early, scoring four runs in the top of the first inning. Alex Wiley opened the game with a double, and Melissa Gellermann reached on an error. In the ensuing at bat, Katelyn Odle hit a double of her own, bringing Wiley around to give the visitors a 1-0 lead. With one out, Maddie London came up to the plate and blasted a three-run home run over the left center fence.

In the bottom of the second, the Cowgirls scored three runs to bring the game within one run, however, the Green and Gold got two of those runs back in the top of the third on a two-run homer by Maddi Fidler.

The hot offense continued for both teams, with NMHU scoring two runs in the bottom of the third to trail by one, 6-5. The Yellow Jackets again immediately responded, scoring three in the fourth, including two on a Gellermann homer, her first of her collegiate career. BHSU added a run in both the fifth and the sixth, including London's second dinger of the game. Up 11-5 heading into the seventh inning, the Green and Gold kept the pedal down, adding four more runs. Fidler hit her second home run of the game in the inning, while London got her third of the game. The Cowgirls were able to get two runners aboard in the bottom of the inning, but the Yellow Jackets defense held firm, and sealed the 15-5 victory.

London had three hits, all home runs, and recorded five runs batted in. London's five RBI are the most in a single game since Alexis Shaffer had five against UCCS in 2015, and her three homers in one game are a new BHSU record. Fidler had three hits in the game, two of which were homers, and had four RBI. Gellermann also had four RBI, including two on her first career home run. Odle finished the game 4-for-5 with an RBI and three runs scored. The Yellow Jackets' six home runs in the game are the most since at least 2011. 

Melissa Gellermann (4-10) earned the victory, allowing five runs in 7.0 innings, striking out five.

BHSU 4, NMHU 1
Through two innings, the Yellow Jackets and Cowgirls remained scoreless. Each team scored a run in the third, with BHSU's run coming on an RBI double from Odle.

In the fifth inning, Morgan Smith led off with a walk. After a flyout, Gellermann came to the plate and smashed her second home run of the day over the left center fence to give the Yellow Jackets a 3-1 lead. The Green and Gold added an insurance run in the sixth when Kindall Bethke hit a leadoff home run. NMHU got a runner on third base in the bottom of the seventh, but BHSU held the Cowgirls, and earned the DH sweep with a 4-1 win.

Gellermann had two runs batted in, while Bethke and Odle each recorded one.

Alex Wiley (4-7) earned the complete game victory. She allowed one run on three hits, and struck out four.   

The Green and Gold next come home and host No. 1-ranked Colorado Mesa on Saturday, April 7, and Sunday, April 8. First pitch on Saturday is scheduled for noon.
  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.