BEAVER FALLS, PENNSYLVANIA – Junior All-Ohio Athletic Conference pitcher Tabitha Murray (Mogadore/Field) struck out a career-high 15 batters as the Baldwin Wallace University softball team beat host Geneva (Pa.) College, 7-2, in the first game of a non-league doubleheader at Conrady Field.  This is the third of six straight doubleheaders for the Yellow Jackets in six days.  The second game begins in 20 minutes.

Murray pitched a seven-inning complete game for her 11th complete game this season, allowed just one base hit and two runs (both earned) and had a career-high 15 strikeouts and issued a career-high seven walks as she improved to 13-6 overall. She has now whiffed 122 batters in 114 and one-third innings pitched this season.

With its first game win, BW improves to 15-10 overall. With its loss, Geneva is 13-10 overall entering today's nightcap.

BW gained a 2-0 lead in the top of the second inning when junior designated hitter Ashley Elber (Huron/ Edison) singled and was replaced by pinch runner, freshman outfielder Jessica Chidsey (West Salem/Black River). After an out, Chidsey stole second base. After another out, freshman second baseman Alison Fiorucci (Seven Hills/Holy Name) drew a walk. Junior Academic All-OAC first baseman Kaity Mullen (Avon Lake) singled. Chidsey scored from second on the hit and Fiorucci moved from first base to third base. When Mullen advanced to second, she drew a throw and that allowed Fiorucci to scamper home for a 2-0 lead.

BW put the game away with a five-run sixth inning. After there was one out, Fiorucci walked and promptly stole second base.  Mullen doubled her home for her second run batted-in of the game and a 3-0 lead.  Mullen was replaced by pinch runner Kate Carabin (Norwalk/ St. Paul). Sophomore All-OAC shortstop Brittany Lightel (Tallmadge) singled and Carabin advanced to third. Sophomore utility player Mackenzie Brua (Avon) reached on a fielder's choice that scored Carabin for a 4-0 advantage and Lightel advanced to third base. Both remaining base runners scored one batter later when junior catcher Sami Brown (Kent/ Field) slammed her first home run of the season and second of her career  -- a three-run shot -- for a 7-0 lead.

Geneva scored twice in the bottom of the sixth to make the score 7-2.

At the plate, Elber and Mullen each went 3-for-4 to lead the way. Mullen had a double and two RBI. In addition, Fiorucci scored twice.

The Yellow Jackets are back in action tomorrow, Tuesday, April 16 when they play a make-up OAC doubleheader against Capital University at 3 p.m. at the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds Field in Berea.  On Wednesday, April 17, BW travels to Tiffin, Ohio to play an OAC twinbill at Heidelberg University at 3:00 p.m. BW ends it 12-games in six days stretch by hosting The College of Wooster in a non-conference doubleheader on Thursday, April 18 at 3:30 p.m.
 
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