Softball falls in double header action at area-rival Bluffton

By Caleb Scott

ADA -- The Ohio Northern softball team saw its 12-game winning streak snapped Tuesday afternoon as it fell to area-rival Bluffton in double header action at the Bluffton Softball Field.

The Polar Bears fall to 15-3 overall, while the Beavers move to 14-4.

In the first contest, sophomore Hailee Loughman (Brookville) and freshman Gabby Stewart (Union, Ky./St. Henry) each recorded hits to lead Northern.

Bluffton would take the first lead of the contest in the bottom of the third inning, before Northern knotted things up in the top of the fourth as junior Leanna Henry (West Jefferson) reached on a fielders choice and Stewart managed to score on a throwing error.

A defensive battle would ensue from there as neither team could score in regulation.

Bluffton would take the victory in the bottom of the eighth as they plated a run to seal the victory.

Junior Kirsten Lightel (Tallmadge) (7-1 overall) struck out four batters to lead Northern in the circle.

In the second contest, the Beavers jumped out to an early 2-0 lead after one inning.

Northern would respond with a 4-run second inning to take a 4-2 lead.

Henry, Loughman and junior Gia Saturday (Ashtabula/Edgewood) would load the bases for ONU before sophomore Kaitlin Surdej (Lancaster/Central) earned an RBI and was walked to first base to score Henry.

Back-to-back singles from juniors Jenna Hollar (Lima/Bath) and Anna Martin (Huntsburg/Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin) would help Northern extend the lead to 4-2.

Bluffton would slowly get back into the contest after scoring runs in the bottom of the third and seventh innings to force the game into extra innings.

From there BU would hit a walkoff single to seal the 5-4 victory.

Surdej struck out five batters in 7.1 innings of work for Northern.

The Polar Bears return to action Wednesday as they travel to No. 4-ranked Trine (Ind.) to take on the Thunder in a twinbill at 3:30 pm.