Springfield, Ill.~ Benedictine University at Springfield softball used a 15 hit game two to force a split decision with the Panthers of Principia College (Ill.) on Thursday afternoon. The Bulldogs move to 18-21 as they cruise into AMC play this weekend. 

Principia 5, BenU 1 (Game 1)

The Bulldogs couldn't get the bats rolling in game one, scattering just five hits in the loss. Senior Madeline Jiardina broke up the shutout in the fourth inning on a sac-fly to left, scoring Sarah Worster who doubled in her at-bat in the inning.  Worster finished 1 for 3 on the day. 

Katie Stapleton suffered the loss, going six innings on the mound with five runs on eight hits and nine strikeouts.

BenU 11, Principia 4 (Game 2)

BenU opened up the flood gates in game two, knocking in 11 runs on 15 hits to earn their 18th win of the season over the NCAA Divsion III Panthers. Two Bulldogs were flawless at the plate; Senior Monica DeVault (5-5, 3 doubles, 2 RBIs) and sophomore Nicole Ramirez (4-4, 2 stolen bases). The Bulldogs used six Panther errors on top of the constant stream of base knocks to amass a crooked number in almost every inning for the victory. 

Abbie Watton was the winning pitcher, tossing five and a third with four runs on five hits and five strikeouts. 

The Bulldogs move into a busy weekend of American Midwest Conference play, hosting Stephens College on Friday and Columbia College on Saturday. Both doubleheaders are set for a 2:00 p.m. start at Padre Canella Field.