Bowie, MD — Bowie State softball split its games on Sunday as the Bulldogs defeated Mansfield, 13-9 in game one before falling 3-2 in the nightcap with both games in seven innings at the BSU softball field. The Bulldogs (5-7-1) was able to knock off the Mountaineers (1-1) in stellar fashion during the opener but was unable to keep its hot bats going in game two as MU held an 8-5 frame in total hits. Graduate senior Evelyn Buelhman (Ellicott City, MD) earned her third win in the circle after tossing six innings with seven strikeouts. Three Bulldogs tallied two hits each in the opener featuring senior Shanya Gordon (Elkridge, MD), freshman Akirra Pullen (Baltimore, MD) and junior Aseayah Alexander (Silver Spring, MD). Additionally, freshman Saniya Jones (Louisa, VA) added a homerun – her second on the year. The Bulldogs took an early 1-0 lead in the first inning thanks to a single from Buelhman that allowed freshman Kayla Evans (Bridgeville, DEl) to score whom had reached base on a miscue from the Mountaineers. Mansfield got their first run in the second – tying the ball game at one apiece after a home run but the in the bottom of the inning, the Bulldogs tacked on four runs off two hits to take a 5-1 lead. After a scoreless third inning, the Mountaineers cut the Bulldogs lead to two (5-3) on a pair hits, including a double from Abbey Woodard. However, Bowie State answered with five runs of their own to stretch their lead 10-3 after four complete. Mansfield added a run in both the fifth and sixth before BSU's Jones earned a grand slam, capping off the Bulldogs three runs and 13-5 lead heading to the seventh. MU scored three more in the seventh but Evans caught a fouled pop-up to secure the win for Bowie State. BSU had spurts offensively in game two but couldn't get things going late. In fact, both teams were pretty evenly matched as the score tied at one apiece after the first inning. A bunt single from Anastasia Berardi gave the Mountaineers a 2-1 lead in the third but the Bulldogs knotted the game at 2-all when freshman Alyssa Cloutier (Derwood, MD) stole home in the bottom fourth. Mansfield took the lead for good, scoring on a passed ball as the Bulldogs were held scoreless for the remainder of the way. Jones led the way, going 2-for-3 at the plate while freshman Lindsey George (Fayetteville, GA) suffered the loss in the circle, allowing three runs on eight hits and striking out five. Bowie State will return to action Wednesday, Mar. 9 with a home doubleheader against Shepherd. Game time is set for 1 p.m. from the BSU softball field. For the most up-to-date information on Bowie State University Athletics and its 13 varsity sports teams, please visit www.bsubulldogs.com. https://bsubulldogs.com/news/2022/3/6/softball-bulldogs-split-with-mansfield.aspx