Softball regionals moves to Wichita, Kansas due to weather

May 7-10, 2008

OMAHA, Neb. – Bellevue was crowed the 2008 MCAC Tournament Champions and earned an automatic berth to the 2008 NAIA Region IV Softball Tournament being hosted by the KCAC in Wichita, Kansas this Friday and Saturday (May 9-10).

The Bruins, 27-12 overall, will be the second seed and will face the winner between Kansas Wesleyan University and Park University at 11 a.m. on Friday at Two Rivers Sports Complex.

Friends University is 29-8 overall and will be the No. 1 seed as Bellevue will be No. 2 as they have both earned a first round bye. Playing in the first round is third-seeded Kansas Wesleyan University, fourth-seeded Ottawa University, Bethany College the fifith seed and Park University with the sixth seed.

The winner of the 2008 NAIA Region IV Softball Tournament will earn an automatic bid to the NAIA National Tournament beginning next week in Decatur, Alabama.

Final Region IV Standings
1. Friends University (29-8)
2. Bellevue University (27-12)
3. Kansas Wesleyan University (22-16)
4. Ottawa University (31-17)
5. Bethany College (26-17)
6. Park University (21-22)

2008 NAIA Region IV Tournament Schedule

Friday, May 9
G1 - #3 Kansas Wesleyan University vs. #6 Park University; 9 a.m. (LF)
G2 - #4 Ottawa University vs. #5 Bethany College; 9 a.m. (MF)
G3 - #2 Bellevue University vs. Winner G1; 11 a.m. (MF) (Live Stats)
G4 - #1 Friends University vs. Winner G2; 11 a.m. (LF)
G5 - Loser G2 vs. Loser G3; 1 p.m. (MF)
G6 - Loser G1 vs. Loser G4; 1 p.m. (LF)
G7 - Winner G3 vs. Winner G4; 3 p.m. (LF)
G8 - Winner G5 vs. Winner G6; 3 p.m. (MF)
Friday, May 10
G9 - Winner G8 vs. Loser G7; 9 a.m. (LF)
G10 - Winner G7 vs. Winner G9; 11 a.m. (LF)
G11 - Winner G10 vs. Loser G10; (if necessary)

Walck's big day pushes Bruins past Panthers

MAY 2, 2008

PARKVILLE, Mo. - Sarah Walck went 3-for-4 with two homers, three runs and five driven in, as Bellevue University won the 2008 MCAC Softball Tournament with a 11-6 win over York College in Parkville, Mo.

The win improved Bellevue to 27-12, while York ended its season at 12-24.

Bellevue struck in the first inning when Jennifer Strohman walked with one out, followed by a two-run blast by Walck, crashing off of the scoreboard in left to give the Bruins a 2-0 advantage.

York put together a third-inning rally, tying the game 2-2 when Beth Johnson lifted a fly ball into center to score Norma Aguilar on a sac fly, but with Jessica Wilson standing at third, Tawny Bales grounded to first to end the inning, and Skye Wakefield led off with a single walked early in the bottom of the third before stealing second and advancing to third on a wild pitch.

From there, Strohman lined a would-be sac fly into left, but the ball was dropped, putting Strohman at first base and scoring Wakefield to regain a 3-2 lead.

York loaded the bases in the fourth, and with two outs, Jessica Wilson singled to right field, scoring two runs and taking back a 4-3 lead. Wilson advanced to second on the throw, leaving runners at second and third with two outs to prompt a Bellevue pitching change.

Sara Slovacek then singled to right for only the second hit in the tournament given up by Jennifer Miller, scoring two for the Panthers to make it 6-3. Strohman again came up big for Bellevue in the fifth with a single to score Mickayla Montalvo, later crossing on a Walck single to center to make it 6-5. Jordann Ellis then singled to third base to move Walck to third, and Walck scored on a single by Kady Revis to tie the game, 6-6.

The Bruins took a 7-6 lead to begin the seventh when Erica Zerkle reached, advanced to second, and scored when York misfielded an Alissa Crumley's bunt in front of the plate. York's defense again put a Bruin on base on a second bunt, moving Crumley to third on Montalvo's bunt up the first-base line, and Montalvo made it two in scoring position by stealing second before Wakefield walked to load the bases.

All three runners moved up a base, scoring Crumley on a wild pitch to make it 8-6, and Strohman grounded to the left side of the infield to score Montalvo, giving Bellevue a 9-6 advantage. Walck added two more runs with her second two-run shot of the game, again clearing the left field wall to make it 11-6. Miller managed to put the game away in the seventh, retiring the Panthers 1-2-3 for the title.

Bellevue University wins both in day one of league tournament

MAY 1, 2008

Miller No-Hits Bobcats as Bellevue Run-Rules Peru, 10-0

Bellevue 10, Peru State College 0 (5)

PARKVILLE, Mo. - Jennifer Miller tossed a five-inning no-hitter, as Bellevue University needed two less than the regulation seven frames to beat Peru State College 10-0 in the first round of the 2008 MCAC Softball Tournament at Park University.

Bellevue (25-12) scored five runs in the second inning, getting an RBI walk from Skye Wakefield to get things going, followed by a bases-clearing double by Jennifer Strohman.

The Bruins would notch four more in the third, including three on wild pitches, adding their 10th run in the fourth to secure the 10-0 win.

Erica Zerkle went 3-for-3 for the Bruins int eh game with an RBI and two runs scored, while Strohman was 2-for-3, scoring once and driving in three.

Bellevue moves into the 4 p.m. winners' bracket game with York, while Peru must turn around at 2 p.m. to play Park in an elimination contest.

Bellevue Earns Second-Straight Tourney Shut-Out

PARKVILLE, Mo. - Bellevue University scored four fifth-inning runs and Jennifer Miller tossed seven shut-out innings, allowing only one hit, as the Bruins moved to 2-0 in the MCAC tournament with a 4-0 win over York College in Parkville, Mo.

Bellevue (26-12) was led at the plate by Sarah Walck's three RBIs in a
1-for-4 outing, while all five of the Bruins' first five batters recorded one hit in the win. Miller's shut-out extended her shut-out innings streak in the tournament to a dozen frames, allowing only one hit over her two tournament starts and 12.0 tourney innings.

Amber Williams also went the distance for York (11-23), scattering six hits and allowing four runs, three earned.

Walck got things going for the Bruins in the fourth, homering over the left field wall to score Skye Wakefield and Jen Strohman, and Walck later crossed on an error to make it 4-0.

Miller would finish things after the fourth, producing two 1-2-3 innings and another four-batter inning to earn the victory.

Bellevue has now earned the right to play for the MCAC championship, scheduled for Noon on Friday against the winner of Friday's 10 a.m. elimination contest between York and Peru State.

Jennifer Miller records career strikeout 500, Chelsey White throws shutout

April 22, 2008

BELLEVUE, Neb. – It had been six years since the last time Bellevue University won both games on senior day, that streak ended on Tuesday evening with double-header sweep of Briar Cliff University at Haworth Park, 2-0 and 5-2. The win extended their win streak to four straight having finished an 11-game eight day marathon. The Bruins improve to 7-1 at home this season going to 24-12 on the year as the visiting Chargers fall to 17-16.

Two Bellevue University milestones were reached with the victories as Jennifer Miller recorded her 500th career strikeout winning her 57th career victory which places her tied for second all-time in Bruin history. Chelsey White also pitched her 16th career shutout winning her 10th game of the year making it three of four years with 10 or more wins.

Bellevue got things started right away in the first game with a one-out single from senior Jennifer Strohman taking a 1-0 lead when Jordann Ellis recorded her second triple of the season. Ellis was left stranded at third but Bellevue had already put a notch on the scoreboard.

In the top of the second, Briar Cliff had a chance to even the score when Jennifer Kruckenberg led-off with a double to left field. With one out and runners on first and second, Andrea Parkinson singled to right field, and with a close play the plate, Kruckenberg was thrown out on an outfield assist by Strohman in right field preserving the narrow margin.

Again, in the third, the Chargers left runners on in scoring position as Bellevue’s Chelsey White (7 IP, 4 H, 5 SO) got Kashe Manley and Kruckenburg to strikeout and groundout to end the inning.

Bellevue added an insurance run in the fifth inning when Jennifer Strohman scored from third base on a delayed steal from Sarah Walck, forcing the throw to second giving Strohman a chance to avoid the tag at home putting the Bruins up 2-0.

Chelsey White picked up her 10th victory of the season getting six of Briar Cliff’s final seven batters out to end the game. Senior outfielder, Jennifer Strohman (Chino, CA), led the Bruins going 2-for-3 at the plate scoring both runs. Jordann Ellis and Sarah Ingraham each went 2-for-3 in the victory.

Briar Cliff University scattered four hits, one each from Tana Colt, Jennifer Kruckenberg, Amanda Arens and Andrea Parkinson. The loss will go to Camille Cruz allowing two runs on eight hits in the complete game. Cruz recorded four strikeouts in the set-back.

Bellevue kept things rolling in the second game getting a lead-off walk from Skye Wakfield, who also sang the national anthem before the first game. Wakefield would be doubled off at first base following a line drive by Strohman, but the Bruins finished the inning with three runs on four hits all with two outs. Sarah Walck would single with a single from Jordann Ellis getting an RBI single from Zerkle then a pair RBI’s from Kady Revis’ triple.
In the fourth inning, freshman Allie Bartley doubled down the right field line with one out and advanced to third on a Wakefield base hit. Wakefield stole second and Strohman walked to load the bases, but the Bruins only managed one run on a RBI sac fly from Sarah Walck.

The Bruins added an insurance run in the sixth when Allie Bartley scored on a throwing error by Briar Cliff making the score 5-0 heading into the final inning. Briar Cliff made things interesting in the top half of the seventh, when Shelby Schmidt singled to third base. Andrea Parkinson reached base on a Bellevue fielding error putting runners on first and second with no outs.

Jennifer Miller recorded her 500th strikeout in the seventh for the first out of the inning on a 3-2 count that Kelli Kersten watched to put Miller into the Bruin record books. Despite the milestone, Bellevue still needed to get out the inning. Tana Colt followed the strikeout with an RBI single through the left side and the Chargers scored their second run on an Emily Dvorak single scoring Parkinson. With the score 5-2 and two outs with runners on the corners, Jennifer Kruckenberg flied out to centerfield to end the game.

Bellevue batters combined for 11 hits in the win, two from Kady Revis who was 2-for-2 with 2 RBI’s; both hits were extra bases, a triple and double. Allie Bartley went 2-for-2 with a runs scored as seven other Bruin batters all had hits. Jennifer Miller improved to 13-4 on the season with the victory allowing two runs, one earned, on seven hits with nine strikeouts. The Bruins had three extra base hits in the game.

Briar Cliff University left eight runners on base in the loss, their second straight after having won eight of their last nine games ending their four-game win streak the game prior. Shelby Schmidt was 2-for-3 at the plate getting two hits from Tana Colt (2-for-4) with the loss going to Lydia Schafer. Schafer allowed five runs on 11 hits in the complete game with one strikeout and two walks.

Bellevue University’s next game will be next week on Tuesday evening as their Doane College game slated for Saturday (April 26) has been cancelled. The Bruins, after playing 11 games in eight days, won’t play for a week when they host Dana College in their season finale in a double-header at 5 & 7 p.m. in Bellevue.

Bruins rebound with two victories on Saturday

April 19, 2008

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – The Bellevue University softball team went 3-2 on the second day of their trip to Oklahoma at the Capital City Classic on Saturday afternoon in the bracket part of the tournament. Bellevue played the University of Houston-Victoria and was defeated 0-11 in five innings, but it was the only set-back of the day as the Bruins defeated NCAA DII East Central University (2-1) and Oklahoma Christian University (7-3) in a rematch from the day before. Bellevue finished the Capital Classic with a record of 3-2 improving to 22-12 on the season.

Houston-Victoria 11, Bellevue 0 (5 inn)

In the first game of the day, Bellevue gave up runs in each of the five innings with Houston-Victoria scoring four runs in the final inning to seal the run-rule game. The Bruins did have their chances to score runs, the first coming in the fourth inning with runners on first and second with one out, but a fly out and a ground ball ended the inning. The second opportunity was in the fifth inning with runners on the corners with two outs, but a ground ball to third ended the game.

Bellevue University (20-12) had five hits in the game with three of those coming from lead-off batter Skye Wakefield who finished going 3-for-3. Jordann Ellis and Alissa Crumley had the other two hits as the Bruins left five runners on base in the set-back. Chelsey White picked up the loss going to 9-6 on the season allowing seven runs on ten hits with three walks and a strikeout in the 3 2/3 inning start. Allie Bartley pitched 1 1/3 innings in relief allowing four runs on six hits.

Houston-Victoria had multiple hits from Curby Ryan (3-for-4, 3 R) in the lead-off spot, as Amber Scott, Kristen Lindley, and Lindsey Ferguson each had two hits apiece. Jessica Salas was 3-for-4 at the plate with 2 RBI’s as Lindley led the team with 3 RBI’s getting a win from Lauren Garza. Garza pitched three innings in the victory with three strikeouts allowing three hits as Chelsi Fitzgerald pitched the final two innings in relief scattering a pair of singles.

Bellevue 2, East Central 1

The Bruins kept their bracket play hopes alive as they were guaranteed a third game on Saturday following the 2-1 victory over NCAA DII East Central University on Saturday afternoon. In Bellevue’s final at bat in the seventh, Skye Wakefield singled to lead-off the inning then stole second base. Wakefield scored the go-ahead run when Jennifer Strohman singled to left center. With Bellevue’s next three batters getting out, the Bruins got three straight outs in the bottom of the seventh for the win as East Central left the game-tying run on second.

Both teams had their chances to break the game open, Bellevue with the best chance, but left the bases loaded in the fourth and fifth innings. Bellevue left nine runners on base compared to eight of East Central.

Bellevue had two hits each from Sarah Walck and Jordann Ellis, both going 2-for-4 at the plate. Skye Wakefield and Jennifer Strohman combined to go 2-for-7 recording the game-winning hit and run giving Bellevue the win. Whitney Kinman was 0-for-1, but had a bases loaded RBI walk. Jennifer Miller pitched the complete game victory improving to 12-4 on the season scattering seven hits with one run allowed. Miller had three strikeouts in the win.

Laura Kuestersteffen and Kelli Dyson each went 2-for-4 at the plate to lead the team with the lone RBI coming from Kasey Barber in the third with a sac fly scoring Stefanie Watson for the only run. Kayla Shephard had the loss allowing the game-winning run in three innings of relief with two strikeouts. Dana McLaren had the no decision in four innings allowing three hits and one unearned run.

Bellevue 7, Oklahoma Christian 3

In a rematch from Friday afternoon, Bellevue scored first in the second inning when Kady Revis lead-off with a double up the middle. After a Sarah Ingraham sac bunt moving Revis to third, Revis scored on a fielding error by Oklahoma Christian allowing Mickayla Montalvo to reach base. Oklahoma Christian was able to come back and tied the game (1-1) on a Casey Brady double scoring Sandra Darmstadt.

Bellevue blew the doors open when they took a four-run lead with four runs in the fifth. The Bruins had their first five batters reach base as they finished the inning with four runs on three hits leaving two runners stranded. Oklahoma Christian battled back, once again, with two runs in the bottom half of the fifth closing the margin to within two (5-3).

The Bruins weren’t going to allow a repeat of the day before happen again as they came back out in the top of the sixth and sealed the victory with a pair of insurance runs as Skye Wakefield walked to lead-off the inning for the second straight time. Bellevue took the lead, 7-3, and held on over the next two innings for the win improving to 3-2 on the weekend.

Jordann Ellis led Bellevue at the plate going 3-for-4 with a pair of RBI’s getting two hits each from Sarah Walck, Erica Zerkle and Kady Revis. In the game, the Bruins’ 3-6 hitters were a combined 9-for-14 at the plate with four runs and four RBI’s. Skye Wakefield went 0-for-3, but recorded a walk and scored twice. Alissa Crumley earned her first victory of the season improving to 1-2. Crumley allowed three runs on ten hits in five innings of work. Jennifer Miller picked up her first save as she pitched out of a bases-load jam in the sixth and closed out the seventh with a strikeout allowing one hit.

Oklahoma Christian University got a perfect 2-for-2 batting performance from Sandra Darmstadt and two hits from Tracy Washam (2-for-4) in the loss. Seven other batters recorded the team’s final seven hits as Sophia Johnson picked up the loss falling to 4-7 on the year. Johnson allowed three runs on five hits in four innings. Linzi Farris pitched the final three innings in relief allowing four runs on five hits with three strikeouts.

Sarah Walck is clutch in victory over Rangers

April 18, 2008

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. -- Sarah Walck played hero on Friday afternoon as Bellevue (20-11) downed Northwestern Oklahoma State University in a come-from-behind 4-3 extra inning victory at the Capital Classic getting the Bruins to even for the day at 1-1 following their earlier loss.

Bellevue University took a 1-0 lead when sophomore Nikki Sedlak used a sacrifice fly scoring Jordann Ellis from third. In the fifth, the Bruins committed an error that kept the inning alive for the Rangers.

Northwestern Oklahoma State (22-15) had their lead-off batter, Therese Beeler, reach base on a fielding error by the Bruin shortstop, one of four that were committed in two games by that position. However, the Bruin defense stayed strong by getting out of a bases-loaded jam getting two straight strikeouts and a pop-out to second base.

By the top of the fourth inning after the Bruins went 1-2-3, the visiting Rangers got a two-out rally when another Bellevue error kept Northwestern Oklahoma State in the game. The Rangers finished out the inning by having their next four batters reach base capped-off by a Natalie Vasquez double that plated two runs.

The Bruins were unable to retaliate in the bottom of the fifth and after holding Northwestern Oklahoma in the top of the fifth Bellevue began their come-back with an Allie Bartley single up the middle. Skye Wakefield grounded out but moved pinch-runner, Kady Revis, to second.

Senior Jennifer Strohman (Chino, CA) hit her tenth double of the season to right sending Revis across home plate putting Bellevue within a run, 2-3. Sarah Walck then hit a single to score Strohman from second tying the game at 3’s.

Extra innings were then needed as neither team scored in the seventh inning. The Rangers, after the international tie-breaker rule placed a runner on second, used a sacrifice bunt to advance Jackie Kopacek to third. Jennifer Miller came up key for the Bruins as she got the next batter to strikeout taking the sac fly out of the equation. After Kati Jo Gabaldon grounded out to end the inning, Bellevue placed Skye Wakefield on second with a chance to win.

Strohman laid down her team-leading 12th sac bunt of the season putting Wakefield at third with one out. Sarah Walck then picked up the game-winning RBI as she singled to left field sending Wakefield across home plate for the victory.

Sarah Walck led Bellevue University with her game-tying and game-winning single going 2-for-4 at the plate with two RBI’s as Allie Bartley, the freshman from Omaha, went 2-for-3. The Bruins had seven hits in the game, one each from Skye Wakefield, Jennifer Strohman, Jordann Ellis and Whitney Kinman as Jennifer Miller improved to 11-4. Miller pitched the complete game scattering three hits allowing one unearned run with seven strikeouts.

Northwestern Oklahoma State University had hits from Jackie Kopacek (1-for-4) and Amber Cardona (1-for-3) as Natalie Vasquez led the team with two RBI’s going 1-for-3 at the plate. The Rangers left six runners on base compared to five of Bellevue as Northwestern Oklahoma State was 0-for-4 at the plate with runners on third and less than two outs. The loss goes to Whitney Herrman (7-9) allowing the final two runs on two hits while she walked one. Becky Holland will pick up the no decision throwing 5 1/3 innings in the start allowing three runs on six hits without recording a single strikeout.

The Bruins will find out their bracket play schedule for Saturday (Apr. 19) following the conclusion of Friday’s pool play games. Northwestern Oklahoma State University and Oklahoma Christian University play each other at 6 p.m. (CST) in the blue pool on Friday evening. Bellevue would play at either 10 a.m. or 12 noon depending on the out-come of the game.

Bruins drops first game at Capital City Classic

April 18, 2008

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – Bellevue University dropped the first game of the Capital City Classic hosted by Oklahoma City University on Friday afternoon, 5-9 to Oklahoma Christian University at the Hall of Fame Stadium. After scoring three runs in the bottom of the first inning, the Bruins (19-11) surrendered eight runs over the next five innings resulting in Bellevue’s third loss in four games.

Oklahoma Christian University (26-19) scored first to open the game with a lead-off single by Christin Dobbs and later scored on a Bellevue fielding error with two outs taking a 1-0 lead. In the bottom half of the inning, Skye Wakefield walked to begin the inning and scored on a double by Sarah Walck after advancing to second on a Jennifer Strohman sac bunt.

Jordann Ellis added to the Bruin run total with a double sending Walck across the plate. The final run of the inning came from Ellis as she scored on a Kady Revis single to the right side. By the end of the inning, Bellevue had scored three runs on three hits takin a 4-1 lead in the third when Alissa Crumley (Oakland, IA) hit her first-ever collegiate career homerun.

Things started to get away from Bellevue in the top of the third as Oklahoma Christian as two of the Eagles’ runs resulted in a Bruin throwing error with two outs. Tracy Washam scored the game-tying run for Oklahoma Christian on the errant play.

In the fifth inning, the visiting Eagles sent seven batters to the plate to score three runs on two hits highlighted by a Casey Brady two RBI double to center, again with two outs. Oklahoma Christian added two insurance runs in the sixth as Bellevue recouped one run in the bottom of the fifth on Walck’s second double of the game.

Bellevue had seven hits in the loss as their 3-4 hitters were a combined 4-for-6 with here RBI’s and two runs. Sarah Walck hit her 13th and 14th doubles of the season. Skye Wakefield, Kady Revis and Alissa Crumley combined for the final three hits as the Bruins had four extra base hits, three doubles and a homerun. Chelsey White suffered the loss (9-5) surrendering seven runs, four earned, on five hits as she walked one and hit three batters. White recorded four strikeouts as Jennifer Miller pitched 2 2/3 innings of relief giving up two runs on four hits with a pair of K’s.

Oklahoma Christian University had three players finish with two or more hits, lead-off batter Christin Dobbs lead the attack going 3-for-5 with three runs as Tracy Washam and Amy Urbanovsky were both 2-for-3 at the plate. The Eagles’ 3-4 hitters combined for five runs and two RBI’s in the win. Linzi Farris improved to 11-7 overall with the complete game victory allowing five runs on seven hits. Farris finished with eight strikeouts and a walk.

Bellevue will face Northwestern Oklahoma State University in the final game of pool play at the Capital City Classic hosted by Oklahoma City University at 2 p.m. held at the Hall of Fame Stadium. The Bruins will find out their bracket play schedule for Saturday (Apr. 19) following the conclusion of Friday’s pool play games.

Softball slips in league standings following loss to York

April 15, 2008

YORK, Neb. – As the league schedule comes to a close for the Bellevue University softball team, they will now be on the outside looking in as they wait for the rest of the conference to finish out their seasons. The Bruins slipped slightly with a split against York College on Tuesday afternoon, 1-2 and 11-3 (5) improving to 19-10 on the season.

York College took a lead in the first game (1-0) in the bottom half of the first inning after Bellevue failed to score leaving two runners on base to start the game. In the top of the second, the Bruins were able to tie the game (1-1) helped in part by back-to-back doubles by Kady Revis and Sarah Ingraham. The inning ended with three hits as the Bruins left two more 'ducks on the pond' making it four total in two innings.

The game remained scoreless until the bottom of the third when York's Laura Crowson walked with one out. Norma Aquilar reached on an error as Crowson advanced to second. Following a sacrifice bunt that would have ended the inning, Sara Slovacek singled Aquilar home taking a 2-1 York (7-22, 4-6 MCAC) lead.

Bellevue's best chance to tie the game was in the top of the sixth when Erica Zerkle walked then got a single from Revis putting two runners on. Ingraham laid down a sac bunt moving both runners to second and third with one out. Needing only a sacrifice fly, the Bruins left both runners stranded as Crumley grounded into a fielder's choice and Montalvo lined out.

The loss puts Bellevue at 8-3 in the league and on the outside looking in as they away the outcome of Park University's remaining games. The Bruins out-hit the Panthers, 6-4, in the game getting all their hits from three different players; Skye Wakefield going 2-for-4, Kady Revis 2-for-3 as Sarah Ingraham finished 2-for-2 at the plate. Revis scored the lone Bellevue run as Chelsey White (9-4) gets the loss allowing two runs, one earned, on four hits. White went 4 1/3 innings in the start with three strikeouts as Jennifer Miller pitched the final 1 2/3 innings in relief with two strikeouts.

York College had singles from Laura Crowson (1-for-1, 2 runs), Jessica Wilson (1-for-2), Sara Slovacek (1-for-3) and Beth Johnson (1-for-2) in the victory with both runs from lead-off batter, Crowson. Amber Williams got the victory going to 11-17 on the season in the complete game scattering six hits with four strikeouts and a pair of walks. Williams walked two and hit two, but the Bruins left eight runners on base compared to four of the home team.

The second game was a different story for Bellevue as they came out of the gate firing with six runs in the first inning. The 'revengeful' Bruins tagged on three more runs in second and one in the third taking a 10-0 lead. The game ended in five innings when Bellevue picked up another run in the fourth giving them the eight-run margin needed as they allowed three York runs in the bottom half of the fifth inning.

Bellevue had a huge first inning that ended with six hits and six runs highlighted by a two RBI single by sophomore, Bridget Niedermyer. In the third inning, the Bruins had three runs on four hits as six of their first seven batter reached base safely batting around for the second time in the game. Bellevue sealed the deal in the fourth with an RBI single from Jennifer Strohman.

The Bruins had multiple hits from four different batters as the team combined for 11 hits in the win with a batting average of .464 for the game. Skye Wakefield led the team going 3-for-4 at the plate with a pair of RBI's and a run scored. Sarah Walck, Nikki Sedlak and Bridget Niedermyer all had two hits. Niedermyer finished with three RBI's to lead Bellevue as Jennifer Miller recorded her 10th victory of the season. Miller pitched five innings allowing one hit with four strikeouts improving to 10-4 on the year. Madison Fisher had a rough outing as she failed to record an out in the fifth surrendering three runs on one hit with two walks as Miller had to re-enter to close out the game.

York College (7-22 overall, 4-6 MCAC) had only two hits in the game, one each from Angie Chambers and Amber Williams. In addition to Williams' run, Laura Crowson and Tiffany Best also scored for the Panthers as Tawny Bales recorded the loss (1-9). Bales allowed eight hits giving up nine earned runs with four walks in 1 1/3 innings. Williams pitched 3 2/3 innings of relief allowing two runs on five hits with three strikeouts.

Bellevue records six doubles in victories, improve to 7-1 in MCAC

April 13, 2008

LAWRENCE, Kan. – The Bellevue softball team got back on the winning track with a pair of victories over Haskell Indian Nations University in a make-up game on Sunday afternoon. The Bruins, after a slow start, scored four runs in the sixth to take game one, 8-0, and used a three-run third inning in the second game to finish the sweep, 6-2. Bellevue recorded their third shutout this season against conference opponents improving to 17-8 on the season and 7-1 in the conference with games against Park University, first in the league (4-0), on Monday afternoon.

In the first game, things started out slowly with neither team scoring through the first three innings. Bellevue had the best chance but left runners on in the third inning. In the fourth and fifth, the Bruins scored a run taking a 2-0 lead then exploded for four runs in the sixth powered behind RBI’s from Skye Wakefield and Jennifer Strohman. Bellevue sealed the victory with a pair of runs in the final inning on an Alissa Crumley double and Wakefield bunt.

Haskell finished the game with three hits, two of which were in the fourth inning after being held hitless through the first three innings with the final hit coming in the sixth from Kortney Smith. The Fightin’ Indians left five runners on base compared to Bellevue’s nine helped in part by three walks issued by the Haskell pitcher.

Bellevue had five players record a multi-hit game; three different players had three hits each. Skye Wakefield, Alissa Crumley and Mickayla Montalvo each went 3-for-4 at the plate as Jennifer Strohman and Erica Zerkle went 2-for-4. Wakefield and Crumley had two RBI’s each in the win as Chelsey White pitched the complete game victory. White (9-3) had the shutout scattering three hits with six strikeouts.

Kortney Smith was 2-for-3 for Haskell Indian Nations University to lead the way as Jenna Ward was 1-for-3 as they two combined for the team’s three total hits. Nicole Bennett pitched the complete game loss allowing eight runs, six earned, on 14 hits, in addition to three walks. Bennett did record six strikeouts.

Again, for the second straight game, the Bruins had to wait until midway through the game to get the bats heated up as they scored three runs in the top of the third taking a 3-0 lead. The inning was highlighted by three straight doubles by Jennifer Strohman, Sarah Walck and Jordann Ellis. Bellevue scored a single run in the fourth, fifth and closed out the game with a final run in the last inning taking the game 6-2.

Haskell scored twice, one each in the bottom of the fifth and sixth, both were unearned as a result of errors committed by the Bruin defense. Wanda Abeyta got the loss for the Fightin’ Indians allowing three runs on seven hits in 3 1/3 innings pitched as Nicole Bennett pitched the final 3 2/3 innings in relief allowing the final three runs, one earned, on four hits.

Skye Wakefield had another stellar game going 3-for-4 at the plate as Jordann Ellis was 3-for-4 with two runs and an RBI. Senior Sarah Walck was 2-for-4 hitting her 9th and 10th doubles as three other players had hits combining for the teams eleven hits. Jennifer Miller picked up win No. 8 as she went the distance allowing two runs, both unearned, on three hits in seven innings pitched. Miller had 13 strikeouts in the win, her second most this season and two off her career mark of 15 which she tied against Evangel (Feb. 22).

Kortney Smith, Jenna Ward and DeeDee Wilson had the three hits for Haskell as they each went 1-for-3 at the plate. Wilson had the lone RBI in the game as the Fightin’ Indians left four runners on base compared to nine of Bellevue.

Bruins go to 5-1 in league

April 9, 2008

BELLEVUE, Neb. -- The Bellevue University softball team, rated No. 1 in region IV, split Wednesday's make-up game in conference action. In the first game, the Bruins won 6-3 and lost a thriller in eight innings, 5-6, in the night-cap.

Bellevue goes to 15-8 overall and 5-1 in the league following the split, as Peru State College goes to 17-15 overall and 5-3 in the conference putting them in third place.

In the first game, Sarah Walck led the Bruins going 3-for-4 with three RBI's hitting her team-leading fifth homerun of the year. Skye Wakefield and Jennifer Strohman both went 2-for-4 at the plate. Chelsey White picked up the victory improving to 8-3 this season.

Skye Wakefield went 4-for-5 in the second game with a run and RBI while Jennifer Strohman went 2-for-5 with three RBI's. Bellevue and Peru State combined to leave 20 runners on base. Alissa Crumley picked up her first loss of the season in relief.

Ellis hits team-leading fourth homerun

April 6, 2008

SIOUX CITY, Ia. -– The softball had their five-game win streak end on Sunday, but split with the No. 25 rated team in NAIA, Morningside College, 0-2 in game one and 5-4 in the second at Jensen Complex. Morningside College won the first game by scoring a run in both the second and third innings and shutout Bellevue for only the second time all season. In the second game of the double-header, the Bruins scored four runs on three hits in the fifth inning to seal the victory.

Morningside College, 18-5 overall, got a lead-off single from Kendra Klein to start the second inning. After a stolen base sending Klein to second, Alisha Krieg singled to score the Mustang's first run (1-0). In the bottom of the third, Klein scored Jerra Steffen who reached on a Bruin error to go up 2-0 which would be the final.

Bellevue University (14-7 overall) had only three hits in the game and left four runners on base in the loss. Erica Zerkle (Rancho Cucamonga, CA) led the Bruins going 2-for-3 at the plate as Kady Revis (1-for-3) recorded the final hit for the team. Chelsey White had the loss going to 7-3 on the year allowing two runs, one earned, on five hits. White had seven strikeouts in the effort walking one.

Morningside College had hits from Kendra Klein (2-for-3, run, RBI), Alisha Kreig (1-for-3, RBI) and Whitney McElrath (1-for-3) with runs from Jerra Steffen and Klein. The win goes to Kelly Baumert who pitched the complete game shutout scattering three hits with six strikeouts.

In the second game, Bellevue scored first with a lead-off homerun by Jordann Ellis (Carlisle, IA) giving the Bruins a 1-0 lead. The homerun gives Ellis four for the season to lead the team. Morningside answered back to tied the game in the fourth inning when Kayla Clarey reached on a fielder's choice scoring Alisha Krieg from third base.

The Bruins finally got the ball rolling with four runs in the fifth inning getting a lead-off single by sophomore, Nikki Sedlak. Alissa Crumley singled to right advancing pinch runner, Kim Haugen, to second. With two outs following a fielder's choice, the Bruins got three runs on a fielding error by the Mustangs putting Bellevue up 4-1. The inning finished with four runs on three hits with an error leaving one runner stranded.

With a 5-1 lead, Morningside rallied by scoring two runs in the bottom of the fifth before getting a chance to tie things in the last inning. Bellevue's releif pitcher, Alissa Crumley, shut the door getting Alisha Krieg to fly out to right giving the Bruins the victory.

Jordann Ellis led the Bruins, who have won six of seven games, going 2-for-2 with two RBI's and a homerun. Four other Bellevue batters had the remaining four of the teams six total hits. Jennifer Miller earned her seventh win of the season allowing four runs, three earned, on eight hits. Miller had ten strikeouts in the game as Alissa Crumley earned her first collegiate save throwing the final inning in relief.

The host Mustangs had two hits each from Jerra Steffen (2-for-4, run) and Megan Tuttle (2-for-2, run) while Morningside had eight hits as a team leaving seven runners on base. Whitney McElrath got the loss going to 7-4 on the year allowing five runs, one earned on six hits. McElrath had seven strikeouts with a pair of walks.

Bruins win fifth straight following wins over Tigers

April 5, 2008

BELLEVUE, Neb. – Bellevue University won their fifth straight game following their double-header sweep of Central Christian College on Saturday morning, 8-0 and 8-0 both ending in the five innings. In the first game, the Bruins scored twice in the first inning and added four more in the second with a pair of runs in the fourth for the win. In the second game, Bellevue scored twice in the first inning and four in the third and ended the game on a double in the fifth.

Bellevue improves to 13-6 on the season having now won four straight over Central Christian (4-17) with three in a row by shutout all by the score of 8-0 dating back to last season. Sarah Walck continued with her hot bat going 2-for-3 in the game with her first triple of the season adding a pair of RBI’s. Walck’s extra-base hit came in the second inning when the Bruins extended their lead to 6-0.

The Bruins, 4-0 in the conference, added a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth and held in the top of the fifth as Alissa Crumley (Oakland, IA) shut the door closing out game one in the top of the fifth. Bellevue had six hits in the game, two from Walck and one each from Skye Wakefield, Erica Zerkle, Sarah Ingraham and Mickayla Montalvo. Jen Strohman and Wakefield each scored twice in the game.

Chelsey White (7-2) earned the victory throwing a two-hitter with three strikeouts as Crumley threw the final inning getting one strikeout. Kayla Dominguez will end up with the loss for the visiting Tigers as she allowed eight runs on six hits with eight walks and five wild pitches. Central Christian had two players reach base on hits, a single by Christy Samuels and Charlie Jo Ross.

The second game was more of the first, when Bellevue scored twice in the first inning as Jordann Ellis (Carlisle, IA) picked up her third homerun of the season recording her 21st and 22nd RBI’s scoring Sarah Walck who singled in the previous at bat. In the bottom of the third, Bellevue finished the inning with five hits scoring four runs highlighted by a two run RBI double from senior Walck. The game ended in the fifth with a bases loaded double from sophomore, Bridget Niedermyer, pushing across pinch-runner, Kim Haugen, and Whitney Kinman for the victory.

Sarah Walck led the Bruins with three hits (3-for-3) adding two more RBI’s to her season total of 18 as the team combined for eleven total hits. Bellevue had four extra-base hits in the victory, doubles from Walck, Zerkle and Niedermyer and a homer from Jordann Ellis. Eight different batters had hits in the game as Bellevue wins their fourth straight conference game. Jennifer Miller (6-4) got the victory as she pitched a no-hitter into the fourth inning with six strikeouts. Allie Bartley pitched an inning in relief surrendering a single hit and walk.

Central Christian College (0-4 in the MCAC) had a single hit in the loss coming from Adrianna Koepping in the fifth inning as Christy Samuels had the loss allowing eight runs on 11 hits in four innings. The Tiger pitcher surrendered five walks and had one strikeout.

Bruins scratch game with Warriors due to weather

April 3, 2008

BELLEVUE, Neb. -- The softball game between Bellevue University and Midland Lutheran has been CANCELLED because of wet field conditions and weather.

The game will not be rescheduled for this year. Next up for the Bruins (11-6, 2-0) will be this weekend in conference action against Central Christian College at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Sarah Walck powers Bruins to victory, hits two homers

April 2, 2008

BELLEVUE, Neb. – Coach Ed Lehotak was wondering when senior Sarah Walck’s bat would heat up; she answered on Wednesday in Bellevue’s conference opener against cross-town and conference-rival College of Saint Mary. Sarah Walck hit two homeruns in the first game with four RBI’s and added to that with a 2-for-3 performance in the second game, also 2-for-3 with two RBI’s. Bellevue increased their winning streak with two wins over the visiting Flames, 5-2 and 9-1, with the second game ending in the fifth.

Skye Wakefield, hitting .481 entering the contest, led things off in game one with a single then stole second. After a Jennifer Strohman walk, the Bruins put on a double steal sending Wakefield home for the first run following a throwing error to third. Strohman scored on Sarah Walck’s (2-for-3) first homerun of the game taking a 3-0 lead.

In the top of the second inning, Katie Long walked for College of Saint Mary then got a single from Kayla Hodgson to put runners on first and second. Kelsey Schiebur reached base on a throwing error which led to the Flames’ first run of the game with Long crossing the plate. Andrea McCoy singled to push across Hodgson making the score 3-2 in favor of Bellevue.

The Bruins, 11-6 on the season, plated two more runs in the fifth inning when Walck pounded her second homerun of the game to left field scoring Wakefield from second base. The insurance runs were enough as the Flames managed only two the rest of the game.

Walck led Bellevue with four RBI’s in as the team only recorded five hits in the victory. Wakefield (1-for-1, 2 runs), Jordann Ellis and Mickayla Montalvo had the remaining three hits. Montalvo had her first career triple in the second inning. Chelsey White improved to 6-2 on the season pitching the complete game. White scattered four hits allowing two unearned runs with five strikeouts and a walk.

College of Saint Mary (2-10) had four hits from four different batters, Katie Cannon, Kayla Hodgson and Andrea McCoy who all went 1-for-3 at the plate as Katie Long was 1-for-2 with a run scored. Kelly Weiczorek pitched six innings in the loss falling to 2-6 on the season as she allowed five runs, four earned, on five hits. Weiczorek did record eight strikeouts.

In the second game, Bellevue increased their winning streak to three games and improved to 2-0 in the conference with a 9-1 victory ending in the fifth. The Bruins got six runs in the fifth inning to set back the Flames as they will go winless (0-2) early in the league schedule.

Bellevue used a two-run first inning to go up 2-0 over College of Saint Mary. Skye Wakefield (2-for-2, 2 runs) bunted to reach base then advanced to third on a stolen base and throwing error on the Flames’ catcher. Wakefield scored the first run on a Sarah Walck (2-for-3, 2 RBI, 2 runs) single to right center. Later in the inning, Walck scored the teams second run on a passed ball.
Bellevue sweep College of Saint Mary (cont.)

College of Saint Mary kept things close with a run in the top of the second inning on a failed pick-off attempt which scored the Flames’ only run, Hodgson from third. The inning ended with an Andrea McCoy strikeout.

The Bruins extended the lead (3-1) adding an insurance run in the third inning when Jordann Ellis led off with a single to right. Ellis later scored Sarah Ingraham (2-for-2, RBI) on a single between shortstop and third base. An inning later, the game was broken wide open when Bellevue scored six runs on six hits sending twelve batters to the plate.

Bellevue had four players finish with multi-hits, Skye Wakefield, Sarah Walck (Council Bluffs, IA), Sarah Ingraham and Jordann Ellis (Carlisle, IA). Four other players had the remaining hits as the team combined for twelve in the game, their third most hits this season. Jennifer Miller improved to 5-4 following the complete game victory closing to within a win of 50 for her career. Miller scattered two hits allowing one unearned run with 11 strikeouts, the second most the season.

College of Saint Mary had two hits in the game, one from Kayla Hodgson and Melissa King, both going 1-for-2 at the plate. Hodgson recorded the only run for the Flames. Kelly Weiczorek picked up her second straight loss allowing eight runs on nine hits in 3 1/3 innings pitched. Weiczorek walked three with one strikeout as Kelsey Schiebur pitched the final 2/3 innings in relief. Schiebur allowed one run on three hits with a strikeout.

The Bruins will look to keep the winning streak alive as they will play games three and four of eight games this week on Wednesday (Apr. 3) in a make-up game against Midland Lutheran College. The first pitch of the double-headers is scheduled for 4 p.m. and will be played at Haworth Park in Bellevue.

Weather cancells Bruins weekend in Sioux City

March 29, 2008

SIOUX CITY, Iowa -- The 25th rated Bellevue University softball team will have to wait until next week for their next game as the Morningside College Mustang Classic has been CANCELLED due to wet field conditions.

Bellevue's next game will be on Tuesday, April 2, when they open their conference schedule at home against College of Saint Mary with the double-header starting at 4 p.m. The game will be played at Haworth Park in Bellevue.

Strohman goes 3-for-3 in night cap

March 25, 2008

BELLEVUE, Neb. – Bellevue University, rated No. 24 in NAIA, split with Concordia University on Tuesday night at Haworth Park in a double-header with the visiting Bulldogs taking game one 9-4 as the Bruins picked up the 3-0 shutout in the night cap. Concordia University, 8-4 overall, scored three runs in the final inning of the first game to seal the victory as Jennifer Miller pitched a complete game shutout giving Bellevue (9-6) their ninth win of the season in the second game.

Concordia University opened the scoring in the first game with a lead-off double by Laura Fugate and scored when Christy Jeppesen doubled. Huckestein grounded out to end the inning putting the Bulldogs up 1-0. Bellevue was able to tie the game with a single by Skye Wakefield. Wakefield (1-for-4) advanced to third on a Jennifer Strohman (3-for-3, 2 R) sacrifice and scored on a Jordann Ellis single to center field.

The visiting Bulldogs added a pair of runs in the second inning and took a 6-1 lead following a three-run homer by Sarah Bergen (1-for-4, 2 R, 3 RBI) in the top of the third inning. Bellevue chipped away at the five run deficit adding a run in the third and two more in the fifth making the score 4-6.

In the seventh inning, the Bruins allowed the lead-off batter to reach on an error, and later threw to the wrong base on a fielder’s choice keeping the inning alive. Concordia got a two RBI single from Samantha Hellbusch (2-for-4, 2 RBI) as the Bulldogs added to their margin when Clarissa Eloge followed that with a squeeze bunt scoring Huckestein to put the game out of reach.

Sarah Bergen helped her own cause at the plate and picked up the victory for the Bulldogs allowing four runs on ten hits in the complete game. Bergen had five strikeouts surrendering one walk. Chelsey White (5-2) will get the loss for Bellevue allowing six earned runs on nine hits in three innings of work. Alissa Crumley pitched the final four innings of relief retiring the first nine batters she faced until the final inning.

In the night cap, Bellevue improved to 8-2 when scoring first as they did when Skye Wakefield (2-for-3) singled to left center. Strohman had another sacrifice bunt moving Wakefield to third to score on an Ellis (1-for-3, RBI) single. Bellevue was up 1-0 after the first inning and didn’t score again until the fourth when sophomore, Sarah Ingraham, sacrificed to score Erica Zerkle (Rancho Cucamonga, CA).

Bellevue added an insurance run in the sixth with Sarah Walck (1-for-3) scored on a fielding error by the Concordia third baseman. The Bruins went up 3-0 following the run. Concordia University had four hits in the second game compared to ten the game before. Fugate, Anne Royuk and Nicole Baker were each 1-for-3 for the Bulldogs. Caitlin Lawrence picked up the loss allowing three runs, one earned, on five hits in six innings of work. Lawrence had three strikeouts and two walks.

Jennifer Miller improved to 4-4 on the season with the complete game victory striking out six Concordia batters. Miller scattered four hits and gave up one walk in her third shutout of the season.

Bruins won't travel to Iowa for double-header

March 18, 2008

BELLEVUE, Neb. -- The women's softball team, rated No. 11 in NAIA and No. 1 in Region IV, will not travel to Oskalosa, Iowa this afternoon. The softball game scheduled against William Penn University has been
CANCELLED due to wet playing and field conditions.

Check the schedule for further updates concerning game times.

Miller pitches perfect game in victory

March 12, 2008

Haverford College (1-5)
Orange, Cali. -- Bellevue University had their four-game win streak come to a close on Wednesday afternoon following a 5-1 loss to Haverford College allowing four runs in the bottom of the fifth inning breaking a 1-1 tie.

The Bruins, preseason rated No. 12 in NAIA, opened the game with a run (1-0), but Haverford responded by tying the game in the bottom of the first inning with a run themselves (1-1). The game was broke open in the bottom of the fifth when Haverford dropped four runs on the Bruins making the score 5-1 which would be the final.

With four games remaining at the Sun West Softball Tournament, Bellevue is 7-3 overall and 4-1 at the tournament. The Bruins had three hits in the game, Skye Wakefield going 1-for-3 as Jennifer Strohman and Erica Zerkle each were 1-for-3 in the loss. Jordann Ellis recorded her 13th RBI which led the team. Bellevue had their chances but left nine runners on base.

Chelsey White picked up her first loss of the year going to 4-1 on the season allowing five runs on eight hits in 4 2/3 innings of work. White added a pair of strikeouts as Jen Miller threw the final 1 1/3 innings in relief giving up no hits with two strikeouts.

Haverford College had two player’s record two hits, Smith who went 2-for-3 with a run and RBI and Searls going 2-for-3 also. Irshay, Sullivan, Richman and Zambrotta each had hits in the victory getting all five runs from the 1-4 slots of the batting order.

Searls added to her batting resume with three innings pitched in the start allowing a single earned run on two hits walking four in the no decision. Karmel pitched three innings in relief getting the win with four strikeouts as Cronin threw the final inning.

SUNY-Institute of Technology (10-0, 5 inning)
Jen Miller pitched herself into Bellevue history recording the programs first-ever perfect game in a 10-0 five inning victory over SUNY-Institute of Technology in the final game on Wednesday evening at the Sun West Softball Tournament. The Bruins, rated No. 12 in NAIA, scored in every inning take a 5-0 lead by the end of the first inning. Bellevue added two runs each in the second and third with the final runs coming in the bottom of the fourth. Bellevue improved to 7-3 overall following the win with a day-off before three games on Friday in the final day of the tournament.

Jen Miller recorded her first and the programs first perfect game throwing all five innings in the start with seven strikeouts. “Fifteen up, fifteen down” said an elated Ed Lehotak following the game. The Bruins erupted with ten runs powered behind four extra base hits and a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate by Jennifer Strohman. She added four RBI’s and her first career Bellevue homerun. Sarah Walck was 2-for-3 with a double in the victory as Jordan Ellis recorded her 14th and 15th RBI’s of the season going 1-for-2 with a double. Kady Revis (2-for-3, double) added two runs as the Bruin 1-through-5 hitters were a combined 10-for-14 scoring nine of the teams ten runs and seven RBI’s.

SUNY-IT has six batters bat twice as three batters only saw one plate appearance in the shortened game. Steel and Burgos were 0-for-2 with two strikeouts each as three other players had K’s in the loss. Wintergre surrendered ten runs, six earned, on 14 hits in four innings pitched. She had only one strikeouts without a single walk but faced 26 batters in the loss.

Bruins win three in first day at the Sun West Tournament

Sun West Softball Tounrament

March 11, 2008

ORANGE, Cali. -- The preseason 12^th-rated Bellevue University Bruins opened up the first day of the Sun West Softball Tournament on Tuesday (Mar. 11) with three victories improving to 6-2 pushing their win streak to four games. The Bruins opened the tournament with a 8-2 victory over Wheaton College followed by a 11-3 six inning win over Lake Erie College then finished the day defeating the University of Pittsburgh-Bradford with a 7-0 shutout.

WHEATON COLLEGE (8-2)
In the first game, Wheaton College jumped on Bellevue University 1-0 in the first inning but the Bruins rebounded two inning later in the bottom of the third. Bellevue scored six runs in the bottom of the inning taking a 6-1 lead highlighted by Jordan Ellis (Carlisle, IA) who doubled and tripled in the game going 2-for-3 with three RBI's and a run scored.

Wheaton added another run in the top of the fifth (6-2) but the 12^th-rated Bruins put the game out of reach with two runs in the bottom of the sixth (8-2) adding to the final score. Erica Zerkle (Rancho Cucamonga, Cali.) was also 2-for-3 with a double as five other Bruins recorded hits in the victory. Sarah Walck was 1-for-4 with a pair of runs as Chelsey White improved to 3-0. White (Oshkosh, Neb.) went 4 1/3 innings allowing two earned runs on eight hits with a pair of walks and a strikeout. Jen Miller pitched 2 2/3 innings of relief surrendering a single hit with a strikeout.

Hennessey led Wheaton College going 3-for-4 at the plate as Sharp was 2-for-4 getting hits from four other batters. Williams picked up the loss allowing six runs, two earned, on five hits in 2 2/3 innings in the start.

The game highlighted six total stolen bases, four by Wheaton as both teams combined to leave 18 runners on base, nine each.

LAKE ERIE COLLEGE (11-3, 6 innings)
For the second straight game, Bellevue spotted their opponent runs in the first inning falling behind 2-0 before the Bruins even stepped to the plate. However, by the top of the second inning, the 12^th-rated softball team scored five runs taking a 5-2 lead. Bellevue added another run in the bottom of the second extending the lead to four (6-2). By the bottom of the sixth inning with the score 7-3 in favor of Bellevue, the Bruins ended the game by scoring four runs imposing the run-rule.

Bellevue University improves to 5-2 overall having notched their third straight victory. Two juniors and a senior led the way for the Bruins highlighted by a first-ever career grand slam by junior, Kady Revis, who finished the game going 2-for-4 with a run and four RBI's. Senior Skye Wakefield and junior Jordann Ellis had a steller game, Wakefield was a perfect 4-for-4 with a run as Ellis was 3-for-4 adding three runs and four RBI's. As a team, the Bruins pounded out 12 hits.

Jen Miller improved to 2-2 overall for Bellevue pitching four innings in the start allowing two runs on four hits with four strikeouts in the victory. Transfer Alissa Crumley pitched the final two innings in relief surrendering a single run on five hits.

Lake Erie College also had a perfect batting performace from Hedrick going 4-for-4 with a run and RBI in the loss. Binko was 2-for-4 with a RBI as Bethel was 1-for-3 and a run scored. Malicki was unable to finish the first inning allowing five runs on three hits in 2/3 of an inning with three walks facing nine batters. McCulloch went 4 1/3 innings allowing five more runs on eight hits in relief and a pair of walks.

UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH-BRADFORD (7-0)
Bellevue University scored first against Pitt-Bradford in their final game of the day going up 1-0 and finished the game scoring in five of seven innings with two Bellevue pitcher's combining for a one-hit shutout. The Bruins finished the day 3-0 with a 7-0 win over Pitt-Bradford on Tuesday evening.

The Bruins improved to 6-2 increasing their win streak to four games as sophomore Nikki Sedlak hit her first career homerun finishing 2-for-3 at the plate as 18 Bellevue players entered the game. Sarah Walck (Council Bluffs, IA) was 2-for-3 with a pair of RBI's as nine different players had hits in the game for a total of 11. Sedlak and Walck had doubles as did Alissa Crumley getting a triple from Skye Wakefield (1-for-4). Chelsey White stayed undefeated at 4-0 with the win pitching six innings allowing a single hit with three strikeouts. Madison Fisher made her first Bruin appearance with an inning pitched recording a single strikeout.

For the University of Pittsburgh-Bradford, their only hit was from Clyde going 1-for-3 in the game. As a team, they were 1-for-22 with their 3-4-5 batters going 0-for-9 with a pair of strikeouts. Stein pitched five innings in the start registering the loss allowing six runs, four earned, on nine hits. Stein had two strikeouts as Forness went two innings in relief. Forness gave up two hits and a single run.

Bellevue loses first of season, ends tournament with win

March 1, 2008

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Bellevue University had hopes of keeping their two-game win streak alive as they headed into Saturday's Evangel University Show Me Tournament, but left with a pair of loses going to 3-2 on the year. Bellevue suffered their first set-back of the year to Avila University (3-2) in eight innings then went back-to-back with five inning games, a loss and a win to close out the tournament. The Bruins lost their second game of the weekend to Central Methodist University in five innings (0-8) as they were shutout for the first time this year ending on a high note with a five-inning run-rule win over Culver-Stockton College, 10-2 on Saturday afternoon.

Culver-Stockton College
Bellevue University scored seven runs in the first inning en-rounte to a 10-2 five-inning victory over Culver Stockton College on Friday's final game at the Evangel University Show Me Tournament. The Bruins added three more runs in the bottom of the fifth ending the game sending Bellevue to their third win of the weekend.

Skye Wakefield led the Bruins going 3-for-4 at the plate with two RBI's, a run and a stolen base as Bellevue's bats came alive to score ten runs on six hits in a run-rule shortened game as they defeated Culver-Stockton for the second time in two meetings since the program began in 1997. Erica Zerkle added a pair of hits (2-for-3) with two RBI's and a run scored as Bridget Niedermyer didn't record a base hit (0-for-2), but scored twice in the victory.

Chelsey White improved to 2-0 on the season wrapping up her second complete game of the weekend allowing two runs on four hits with four strikeouts. White faced 20 batters in the game, five more than the five-inning minimum.

Culver Stockton managed only four hits in the game as Kaltmayer picked up the loss allowing seven runs on four hits in 2/3 of an inning. Eggleston fair better allowing three runs on two hits in her 3 1/3 relief appearance with Thomas closing out the game with a strikeout in 2/3 innings.

Central Methodist University
Central Methodist scored four runs in the second inning and three more in the fourth sending Bellevue to their second loss and first shutout of the season. Bellevue managed only two hits in the contest, one each from Kady Revis and Sarah Ingraham. The Bruins did get six base on balls, but left eight runners on base to keep playing beyond the fifth inning.

Taylor led Central Methodist going 3-for-4 as Easley and Salmon were both 2-for-2 with runs as Fuemmeler pitched the complete game shutout scattering just two hits with eight strikeouts and six walks.

Jennifer Miller (1-2) will pick up the loss allowing five runs on four hits in her 1 1/3 innings start, a far cry from the complete game and 15 strikeouts she had the day before. Miller did strikeout eight batters but walked three in addition to a wild pitch. Alissa Crumley, a transfer from William Penn, pitched two innings in relief allowing three runs on three this with five walks in two innings as freshman Allie Bartley allowed two hits in 2/3 innings of work. 

Avila
Bellevue University, preseason No. 12 in NAIA, lost their first game of the season as they allowed two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning falling to Avila University, 2-3, in the bottom the eighth. The Bruins go to 2-1 on the year as neither team scored until the top of the sixth inning when Jordan Ellis hit a two-run homer, her first career homerun at Bellevue.

Bellevue left five runners on base in the loss as the team manged only five hits; Skye Wakefield, Jen Strohman, Sarah Walck, Sarah Ingraham and the homerun by Ellis were the only batter to reach base. Chelsey White pitched 6 1/3 innings in the no decision as Jen Miller walked four, two intentionally, with a pair of wild pitches in the loss (1-1). Chelsey allowed two runs on seven hits with eight strikeouts and a walk.

Miller set career mark with 15 strikeouts

February 29, 2008

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Bellevue scored a run in the top of the first and two more in the fifth to hold off host and preseason ranked No. 23 Evangel University on Friday afternoon, 3-0, in Bellevue’s second straight victory to open the 2007-08 season.

It was a pitcher’s duel that Bellevue prevailed as Skye Wakfield scored on a throwing error by the Evangel catcher in the opening inning and again in the fifth on a double by Jen Strohman. Kady Revis, a transfer from Iowa Western, tripled to score Strohman from second which was the difference in the game.

Both pitchers, in the game, combined to strike out 30 batters; Jennifer Miller with 15 tying her career best which she set last year against this same Evangel team (Feb. 23, 2007) in a 4-1 win. Miller (1-0) had struck out the side in the first three innings of the game and the final inning which now places her second all-time with 381 career strikeouts passing Jacqueline Tibke.

Skye Wakefield led the team with a pair of hits (2-for-4) and two runs as five other batters recorded hits. Jen Strohman had the other run for Bellevue as Miller got the complete game shutout victory scattering three hits with 15 strikeouts as she only faced 26 batters; five above the seven inning minimum.

Evangel University has hits from Nelson, Wilkinson and LeClaire as Ragan will suffer the loss allowing three runs on seven hits with 15 strikeouts. Evangel, 0-1 overall, loses their season opener.

Walck homers for rated Bruins

February 29, 2008

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – It didn’t take long for the preseason 12th rated Bellevue University Bruins softball team to make their mark on the weekend as they took a quick 2-0 lead over NCAA DII Rockhurst University following a two-run homer by senior Sarah Walck in her first at-bat of the season.

In the third inning, Rockhurst was able to tie the game at 2’s but Bellevue added a pair of runs two innings later in the bottom of the sixth inning. Senior Jennifer Strohman (Chino, CA) started the inning with a one out single to left then advanced to third on Walck’s third hit of the game.

Transfer outfielder, Jordann Ellis, lined a double to left field scoring both Strohman and Walck breaking the tie giving the Bruins a 4-2 lead. With the bases load in the top of the sixth, Chelsey White (Oshkosh, NE) was able to get out of the inning as a Rockhurst batter fouled out leaving all three runners stranded.

The Bruins held on for the final inning winning their season opener for the second straight season, 4-2, on Friday morning at Evangel University.

Sarah Walck led Bellevue (1-0) going 3-for-3 at the plate with two RBI’s and two runs adding two extra base hits; a double and homerun. Jennifer Strohman was 2-for-3 with a pair of runs as Jordann Ellis was 1-for-3 with the game-winning RBI’s in the fifth inning. Jennifer Miller and Bridget Niedermyer also had hits in the win.

Chelsey White (1-0) got her first win of the season throwing the complete game scattering six hits allowing two runs, one earned with two strikeouts.

For Rockhurst University (0-1), Harris led the team with three hits (3-for-3) as lead-off batter Luttenegger was 2-for-3 and a run. Robertson will pick up the loss allowing four earned runs on eight hits with a walk and seven strikeouts.

February 3, 2008
(press release courtesy - MCAC SID - Jerod Dahlgren)

POINT LOOKOUT, MO -- Bellevue University has been picked as the top team in the 2008 MCAC Softball Preseason Coaches' Poll released on Sunday (Feb. 3).

The Bruins, who posted a 34-8 overall and 13-1 MCAC record in 2007, captured the MCAC Regular Season and Tournament Champoinship en route to qualifying for last season's NAIA National Tournament in Decatur, Ala.

Peru State College was selected second in the preseason poll after going 11-3 in the league play last season (38-21 overall). Park University, which compiled at 7-7 MCAC record in 2007 (18-28 overall), earned the No. 3 position in the rankings.

York College (4th), College of Saint Mary (t-5th), Haskell Indian Nations University (t-5th) and Central Christian College (7th) round out the poll.

2008 MCAC Softball Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Bellevue University * #
2. Peru State College
3. Park University
4. York College
t5. College of Saint Mary
t5. Haskell Indian Nations University
7. Central Christian College

*2008 MCAC Regular Season Champions
#2008 MCAC Tournament Champions

This season, with a ‘sour’ taste in their mouth, Ed Lehotak returns for his 12^th season at the helm and has regrouped to make another run for the prestigious national tournament. In 2007, Bellevue won their fifth, shared or out-right, regular season title and fifth league tournament championship.

Despite losing seven seniors to graduation, coach Lehotak, last season’s conference and region coach of the year, has added depth with 21 players on the roster. Ed will dress out seven new faces which include top transfers in Skye Wakefield (UNK), Jordann Ellis (IHCC), Kady Revis (IWCC) and Alissa Crumley (William Penn).

Rounding out the new faces are freshman pitchers, Madison Fisher (Fort Walton Beach, FL) and Ally Bartley (Omaha, NE), and catcher Morgan Weisner (Ceresco, NE).

Adding to the depth of Lehotak’s recruiting class; there will be 13 returning players to add experience to a team that finished 34-8 a season ago.

Sarah Walck, a first-team all-conference and all-region catcher, returns adding power to the middle of the line up as she knocked 11 homeruns and led the team with a .371 batting average. She will manage all returning pitchers that had a combined ERA of 1.80.

Ericka Zerkle (Rancho Cucamonga, CA) will return to start at second base in the spring hitting .313 with 13 runs and 14 free passes to first base. Rounding out the potential starters in the infield, Ed will use a combination of players at first base; newcomers Alissa Crumley (Oakland, IA), Ally Bartley and in limited action, Jennifer Miller.

At third base, two sophomores in Sarah Ingraham (Council Bluffs, IA) and Nikki Sedlak (Bellevue, NE) will use their combination of arm strength, quickness and plate awareness to control the hot corner. Both players, limited in their experience last year (23 games combined), will need to show growth in the early 2008 schedule.

Ed Lehotak loses all three outfielders in all-conference players, Liz Davis, Kayla Edick and Sara Chancellor. All three senior’s combined for 82 hits, 66 runs and a batting average .275. Other notable losses will be Lori Huelskamp (.360, 26 runs, 25 RBI’s, 22 BB, 4-5 SB), Nikki Kalasky (.299, 10 doubles, 14 runs, 26 RBI’s), and Jacque Bowden (.316, 22 RBI’s).