Burney Breaks Westminster Home Run Mark

Westminster's junior Erica Burney broke the softball season record for home runs in Tuesday's doubleheader sweep over Blackburn College. The Blue Jays won game one, 13-6. They short-gamed the Blackburn Beavers in the fifth inning of game two, 8-0. The wins bring the Blue Jays to 18-15 on the season, moving them into third on the program all-time wins list. They are now tied for third in the conference standings with an 11-5 conference record. 

Game One

The Blue Jay's strong first inning fueled the team to the 13-6 win. They scored eight runs in the inning, taking an 8-1 lead. Blackburn scored one run in the top of the first, but sophomore Amber Tepen hit a two run shot over the right field fence to go up 2-1. Blackburn walked in two consecutive runs, followed by a RBI single from junior Brittany Hodge to take a 5-1 lead. Blackburn walked in two more runs and Hodge scored the final run on a wild pitch. 

Blackburn scored a run in the third with a RBI single.

The Blue Jays put up three unearned runs throughout the third and fourth innings to take an 11-2 lead heading into the fifth inning.

Blackburn scored four runs, stopping the Blue Jays from short-gaming them and cutting their deficit to 11-6. In the bottom of the inning, the Blue Jays brought home two more runs to take a 13-6 lead. Sophomore Leah Holthaus hit a RBI single to second base to score junior Alyson Hahn, and junior Anne Baker hit a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring freshman Caty Barrett.

The remaining inning and a half were scoreless, ending the game with a 13-6 win.

The Blue Jays posted 16 hits with 11 RBI. Hahn and Burney each went 3-for-4 from the plate. Tepen went 2-for-3 from the plate with four RBI, and Baker went 2-for-3 from the plate with three runs scored and two RBI.

Hahn (9-6) pitched the complete game win. She faced 35 batters and struck out three.

Game Two

Tepen started game two with her second two-run home run of the day to give the Blue Jays a 2-0 advantage.

Barrett led off the fourth inning with a triple to right field, then scored on the next at-bat with a passed ball. The Blue Jays then loaded the bases with Burney to the plate, and she hit a grand slam, breaking the season home run record and tying the career record with her 10th home run. 

A RBI fielder's choice from Burney scored Baker, wrapping up the game in the fifth inning with an 8-0 win. 

The Blue Jays out-hit Blackburn 13-5. Four batters finished with two hits, and Burney recorded five RBI. 

Perrigo (9-6) grabbed the complete game win in the circle. She pitched five innings and allowed no runs while striking out three. 

The Blue Jays host Principia College on Thursday, April 28, for their regular season finale. The doubleheader starts at 5:00 pm in Fulton, Mo

STORY COURTESY OF WESTMINSTER COLLEGE SPORTS INFORMATION OFFICE