Eagles, ‘Wolves Divide Softball Doubleheader
April 8, 2005

Complete Box Scores
Game 1         Game 2

During her career at Ashland University, Bree Beabout has played a number of positions on the softball diamond. The one place the sophomore always feels comfortable is at home plate.

Beabout lashed out five hits in two games Friday (April 8) at Ashland’s Brookside Park, helping the Eagles split a Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference doubleheader with Northwood. The Timberwolves (14-6/4-2 GLIAC) opened the day with a 4-1 win. Ashland won the second game, 6-0.

Beabout went 2-for-4 with a double in the first game and was 3-for-4 with a double, homer and an RBI in the nightcap. Beabout batted leadoff and played right field. She ignited an offense that had managed to score just four runs in two games on Wednesday against Malone.

In the first game, it looked like the Eagles (19-13/2-4 GLIAC) would struggle again at the plate. Northwood pitcher Lisa Shepard improved to 10-1, holding the Eagles to seven hits. The only run Shepard gave up was unearned. She walked two and struck out six. Those numbers were good enough to get the better of the Eagles and their top pitcher, sophomore Jaime Williams. In seven innings Williams (12-5) was touched for four runs (two earned) on seven hits. She walked three and struck out five.

Junior shortstop Reeta Echevarria was 2-for-4 and drove in two runs for the visitors. Freshman outfielder Julie Olson also went 2-for-4.

The Eagles grabbed an early lead in the second game, scoring once in the first and three times in third. That made life easier for freshman pitcher Jennifer Alderson, who was somewhat unsteady in the early going. Alderson seemed to get in a groove in the third inning and after that, she was in control. The rookie is 4-5. She allowed two hits in pitching her fourth complete game of the season. Alderson walked one and struck out five.

In addition to Beabout, AU received two-hit games from outfielder Ashley Mayle and first baseman Angie Westenkirchner. Sara Mathes slugged her fourth homer of the year and Kelli Williams belted her third roundtripper.

The second game loss went to Shepard, who labored through three innings, allowing four runs on six hits. Sophomore Carly Laxton worked the final four innings and was touched for a pair of runs on five hits. AU had 11 hits off the NU duo.

The Eagles will be back at Brookside Park on Saturday, hosting Saginaw Valley State at noon.