The softball team played their first home doubleheader of the season April 2, where they took two wins against Russell. The first game ended 19-3 and the second ended 17-3.

As the home team, the Cats took the field first, where they let only two runners on base, allowing neither to score.

After taking care of business on defense, Ellsworth had their turn to hit, where they took control of the game.

Russell had trouble finding consistency pitching. The first two batters, seniors Peyton Coonrod and Emma Moore, were walked. Senior Paityn Tenbrink batted them both in with a hit to the third baseman who then overthrew first base.

After the Cats gained the lead, they never lost it and continued to push forward. The team batted completely through the lineup with zero outs still on the scoreboard. In the first inning alone, which lasted over 30 minutes, Ellsworth batted through the lineup twice and scored 12 points.

After a three-up, three-down second inning in the field, the Cats returned to the batter’s box at the top of their lineup. Scoring an additional 5 points, Ellsworth led 17-0 at the end of the second inning.

At the top of the third inning, the Broncos were able to score 3 points off of small Bearcat errors. However, the Cats made up for it on offense. Senior Makenna Haas ended the game with a home run to bring herself and senior Paityn Tenbrink in for the final runs. A 15-point lead at the end of the third inning results in a run rule. Tenbrink marked the 15th run for Ellsworth, ending the game 19-3.

Haas is adjusting to a different role on the field. While she previously played catcher, she is returning to the position this season as senior Lexi West is out with a knee injury.

“A win early on in the season is always a very good way to set the tone for the rest of the season Haas said. “We are all still adjusting to the new positions and how we all fit in on the team, so having that win definitely helps us have confidence in new roles.”

The second game of the night played out very similar to that of the first. Russell had difficulty providing the proper competition and challenge for the Cats. However, Ellsworth had a tough time getting hits to get on base in the first inning, where neither team scored.

In the second inning, each team scored 1 run. However, the Cats began to spread their lead in the third and fourth. Beginning to find their timing and improve their hitting, they increased their lead to 17-3 at the end of the fourth quarter.

After holding the Broncos on defense, the Bearcats sealed their victory. With a more than 12-point lead after the fifth inning, they won in a run-rule, 17-3.

The team will compete at home against Minneapolis April 12.