LEESBURG, Fl. - The Hawks softball team split its doubleheader with Bemidji State and Northwood Monday (Mar. 11). The Hawks dropped the first game to the Beavers 6-1 before defeating the Timberwolves 5-4.

Game 1

Both teams remained silent through the first two innings, with just one runner left on base. 

Alex DeVaney was able to keep the Beavers scoreless with three strikeouts through the first two.

Bemidji State used three errors by the Hawks to strike first with three runs in the bottom of the third. The Beavers took a 3-0 lead.

The Hawks led off the fourth with back-to-back singles by Remi Ferguson and Kylie Powers. QU was unable to cut into the lead as two ground outs and a fly ball ended the Hawks threat.

The Beavers added three more runs off of four hits and a QU error in the fifth inning, extending their lead to 6-0.

The Hawks fought back in the seventh with back-to-back base hits by Morgan Heckman and Bettendorf. 

Megan Sharpshair reached on a fielder's choice that advanced Heckman to third.

Audrey Hermann later reached first on an error by the shortstop that allowed Heckman to score. QU cut the lead to 6-1.

The score would stand as the Hawks were unable to get any closer and dropped the first game of the day to the Beavers.

Alex DeVaney went 4 1/3 innings, allowing six runs on seven hits and five strikeouts.

Game 2

The Hawks got off to a quick start in the second game of the day. Ferguson lead off the bottom of the first with a walk and advanced to second on a Bettendorf single. A passed ball would allow the runners to advance to second and third.

Heckman plated both runners with a two RBI double down the right field line. The Hawks took the lead 2-0. 

Megan Sharpshair brought Heckman in on an RBI single to center field and extended the lead to 3-0.

Sara Demuth dominated the first six innings, keeping the Timberwolves scoreless with six of her seven strikeouts.

QU would strike again in the bottom of the sixth. After an Ashton Dyche single, Courtney Kernich entered the game as a pinch runner. 

Kernich wasted no time stealing second on the very next pitch and scored on an RBI single by Jessica Poore, making the score 4-0. 

Later in the inning, Poore scored what would be the go ahead run on a Hermann single to center field. The Hawks led 5-0.

Northwood used a QU error and a three-run homerun to cut the Hawks lead to 5-4 in the top of the seventh. 

The lead proved too much to overcome as Demuth forced a groundout to end the game and give the Hawks the victory.

Game 1 Stat Leaders
Morgan Heckman - 1-3, R

Alex DeVaney - 4 1/3 IP, 6R, 7H, 5K

Game 2 Stat Leaders
Kay Bettendorf - 2-3, R
Remi Ferguson - 2-3, R
Morgan Heckman - 1-3, R, 2B, SB, 2 RBIs

Sara Demuth - 7IP, 4R, 6H, 7K

Hawk's Record
7-7

The Hawks finish their Florida trip tomorrow with games against Domincan College (3:45 p.m.) and Post University (6 p.m.).