Box Score (vs. Roger Williams)
Box Score (vs. Defiance)
Box Score (vs. Rutgers-Camden)
Box Score (vs. Wheaton)
Box Score (vs. Daniel Webster)
KISSIMMEE, Fla. – The Cardinals have played to a 4-1 record through three days of competition at the Rebel Games in Kissimmee, Fla.
Otterbein University has claimed victories over Roger Williams, Defiance, Rutgers-Camden, and Daniel Webster. The Cards fell to Wheaton (Mass.) in their only loss thus far on the trip.
Senior pitcher Natalie Zwicker tossed a four-hit, five-strikeout, complete-game shutout in the season opening 4-0 win over Roger Williams on Sunday.
The Cardinals broke a scoreless tie in the second when junior catcher Erin Carpenter hit a two-out two-run single. Otterbein added two insurance runs in the sixth en route to the win.
The Cards broke out the bats early against Defiance, scoring five runs in the first and cruising to a 10-1 victory Monday. Sophomore Maggie McMahan limited the Yellow Jackets to three hits over four innings and struck out five to earn the win.
Otterbein followed with a come-from-behind 6-3 victory over Rutgers-Camden. The Scarlet Knights had a 3-1 lead in the fifth before the Cardinals rallied for four runs on five hits. The key at-bat, a two-out two-run double by freshman Kayla Woodard that broke a 3-3 tie. Otterbein added an insurance run in the sixth to secure the victory.
Zwicker earned the victory on the mound, pitching four no-hit innings in relief.
Otterbein’s winning streak was brought to a halt by Wheaton (Mass.) on Tuesday. The Cardinals held a 4-2 lead through three innings, but Wheaton tied the game in the fourth with a two-run double and scored the game-winning run on a wild-pitch in the sixth.
The Cardinals closed Tuesday out with a 10-0 win (five innings) over Daniel Webster. Sophomore Kelsey Long earned the win on the mound with a two-hit shutout. Otterbein was led at the plate by sophomore Laura Basford who finished the game 3-for-3 with two RBIs.
Otterbein has received superb play from its pitching staff. Cardinal pitchers have held opponents to a .193 batting average (BA) while only allowing seven earned runs in five games.
Heading the Otterbein staff has been Zwicker (2-0). She has posted a 1.40 ERA with 12 strikeouts while holding opponents to a .196 BA in three appearances.
At the plate, the Cardinals are nearly hitting .400, and possess a .418 on-base percentage. Otterbein has been on the move when they are on base, converting 13 of 15 stolen base attempts.
Sophomore Kristen Ramer is leading the Cardinals with a .667 BA (8 of 12) while Carpenter leads Otterbein with seven RBIs.
Senior Casey Clarridge, who is batting .529 (9 of 17), leads the team with six stolen bases. Basford ranks second on the team with four and has notched two triples.
Otterbein's game with Washington College (Md.) was postponed due to rain on Sunday. A reschedule date has not yet been determined.
The Cardinals return to the diamond Thursday, March 15, when they take on Austin College at 11 a.m. and Framingham State at 1 p.m. in Kissimmee.
