MOLINE, Ill. — Dean Herman’s squad had suffered only one loss in April, but it would suffer just its third of the season in a doubleheader against Black Hawk.

Game 1 | Bryant & Stratton 4, Black Hawk 3

Macey Clark, who’s in her second year, stepped into the circle again for the Bobcats to open the game with a scoreless frame. However, the Ravens answered with a clean inning, too. 

The Bobcats struck first after Grace Leitheiser doubled and Carissa Heisdorf brought her in with a sacrifice bunt. They would add three more runs highlighted by back-to-back doubles by Madelyn Birling and Heisdorf. 

That would be all the scoring the Bobcats would do, and it was up to the pitching and defense to hold Black Hawk at bay. It scored one run after Clark gave up a home run and after two consecutive runners reached base, Jacie Jones entered the game to replace Clark.

Two runs would score, but Jones and the Bobcats secured a one-run victory. 

Notes

• This was the second time this season that Clark had 10-plus strikeouts.

•  Heisdorf drove in two runs.

• The Bobcats hit five doubles.

Game 2 | Black Hawk 10, Bryant & Stratton 7

Bryant & Stratton sent Holly Lowenberg to the circle looking to win the doubleheader at Black Hawk. But the game started off roughly for the Bobcats and Lownberg, falling behind 6-1. 

The Bobcats fought back, scoring four runs in the top of the fifth to tie the game at six. A two-run home run by Joscelyn Bennett sparked the offensive explosion. Black Hawk answered the Bobcats’ rally with a three-run inning of its own.

Bryant & Stratton couldn’t rally again and split the doubleheader with the Ravens. 

Notes

• Bennett led the offensive attack, recording two hits in three at-bats and three RBIs. 

• This was Lownberg’s worst outing of the season, giving up six earned runs. 

Up Next

Bryant & Stratton is set to play a doubleheader against Madison College on Tuesday at Rainbow Park starting at 3 p.m.