Softball clinches first tourney birth since 2006

The BVU softball team clinched a birth in the IIAC Tournament with a pair of wins over the University of Dubuque today. In game one, the Beavers picked up a 4-1 victory before coming from behind in the bottom of the seventh in game two to win 4-3. In game one sophomores Lisa Minahan and Jami Webster paced the Beavers. Minahan had two hits while Webster had a hit, scored a run, and recorded two RBI. First-year Ashley Pierce had one hit and two RBI. Sophomore Tiffany Promes got the win on the mound, allowing one run on four hits while striking out eight.

Game two took some late game heroics for the Beavers to pull out a 4-3 win in the bottom of the seventh inning. With one out in the top of the seventh, sophomore Chancey Wilcke singled. Sophomore Lindy Maxell, who was running for Wilcke, advanced to second when junior Becky Willer walked. A wild pitch allowed both runners to advance to second and third, respectively. Minahan then doubled to score both Willer and Maxell to tie the game. First-year Hailey Davis then singled to right to score Minahan and end the game. Minahan had two hits, a run and two RBI. Senior Amy Hasbrouck had two hits, a run, and an RBI thanks to a home run shot to left field in the sixth inning. With the win, the Beavers have clinched a birth in the IIAC Tournament, set for next week in Indianola. BVU upped its record to 15-13 (7-7 IIAC).