By:Patrick Hall Thursday, 30 March, 2006

The Pratt Community College Softball Team regrouped after a 3-4 first game loss, and hammered out a 15-10 second game victory over host Barton County on Wednesday afternoon.

Picking up both the loss and the win was Alicia Neuschwanger (Loveland, CO), who pitched a total of 18 innings. In the opener, Neuschwanger allowed one earned run on eight hits. She struck out six and walked none.

“This was a very productive outing for Alicia,” said Coach Ron Hill. “She was very resilient and fought through a number of difficult situations. That resilience allowed us to use her again in the nightcap.”

Only four players reached base for the Lady Beavers. Catcher Courtney Bersuch (McPherson) did so twice, driving in a run with a double. She also stole two bases and scored two runs. Jordan Chaney (Toole, UT) and Audrey Walcher (South Haven) also drove in a run apiece.

In the second half of the double-header, Neuschwanger also took the mound, and through six and a half innings allowed only three runs. But in the bottom of the seventh, with Pratt ahead 7-3, Barton erupted for four runs, knotting the game at 7-7.

Pratt answered with authority, scoring eight runs in the top of the eighth. Leading the way at the plate was Leah Heide (Buhler) with five RBI’s on two hits. Neuschwanger also helped her own cause, driving in three runs on two hits.

Pratt will be home on Monday, April 3, playing Brown Mackie in a double-header beginning at 3:00 pm.