COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Capital University softball team could not hold off Bluffton University in a 5-2 defeat today as Clowson Field.

Alyssa Patznick (Newark, Ohio) ended the top of the first inning by sparking a double play. Jess Kuzara grounded out to Patznick, she threw the ball to Marisa Koss (Ostrander, Ohio) at first base who then zipped it to Therese Becker (South Euclid, Ohio) at third base to tag the sliding runner.

After two scoreless innings, Kelsey Swain (Pickerington, Ohio) got on base with her first hit of the game. A sacrifice bunt from Brooklyn Staten (Grove City, Ohio) advanced Swain to second base. The next at bat, Koss found the gap in center field which allowed Swain to round third base for the first run of the game.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, Maura Rose (Williamsport, Pa.) singled up the middle. Katie Hurst (Macedonia, Ohio) entered the game to pinch run for Rose and the Crusaders were rewarded two at bats later as she crossed home plate, thanks to a base hit from Emma Caputo (Columbus, Ohio).

Bluffton (8-7) erased Capital's two-run lead with four runs in the sixth inning. The Beavers got two runners on base after a Ariana Muffo was hit by a pitch and Jess Kuzara singled to right field. Josie McElroy brought in Bluffton's first run with a hit to center field. Brittany Huff also found a gap in center field, bringing in two more runners put Bluffton on top, 3-2. The fourth run was added by Jo Bondra, who singled up the middle, allowing Huff to cross home plate.

Bluffton would add one more run and hold Capital to no hits in the final two innings to secure the victory.

Both teams finished with seven hits, while Bluffton suffered three errors. Kuzara and McElroy had two hits apiece to lead the Beavers. Capital left had 10 runners on base, compared to Bluffton's five.

Patznick and Amber Martinelli (Allison Park, Pa.) each recorded two strike outs.

Game two of the doubleheader was called due to darkness with Bluffton leading 6-3 in the top of the fifth inning.

Capital will begin conference play with a doubleheader against Baldwin Wallace (5-7) on Saturday, March 21. Game one is set to begin at 1 p.m.