Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score
WESTERVILLE, OHIO – The Cardinals captured a 7-3 victory in game two against Muskingum University in Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) play on Saturday afternoon after they fell 4-2 in the first game at Rike Field.
With the split, Otterbein University moves to 22-12 overall. The Cardinals are now in third place in the OAC standings at 8-6 after John Carroll University earned a sweep of Marietta College today. Ohio Northern University (12-2 OAC) and John Carroll (9-5 OAC) are in first and second, respectively. Meanwhile, the Muskies go to 7-7 in the conference, 18-16 overall.
Otterbein exploded for five runs in the fourth inning to propel them to their 7-3 game two victory.
Senior Casey Clarridge got things started with a single to lead the inning off. She then stole second and third before sophomore Rachel Puthoff knocked her in on an RBI bunt single to tie the game at 1-1.
Later in the inning with the bases loaded, sophomore Maggie McMahan singled to right to drive in two runs, chasing the Muskie starting pitcher in the process.
Freshman Kristen Lakes followed McMahan with an RBI single of her own, and sophomore Laura Basford hit a sacrifice fly to make the score 5-1.
The Cardinals tacked on two more runs in the sixth on a two-run home run by Clarridge to extend their lead to 7-1.
Muskingum added a pair of runs on a home run of their own in the seventh, but Otterbein didn’t allow the Muskies to get any closer.
McMahan (6-4) earned the win for the Cardinals. She limited Muskingum to one run on three hits while striking out four in five innings.
Otterbein pounded out 10 hits in game one, but left nine runners on base in their 4-2 loss in game one.
The Cardinals knotted the game up at 2-2 in the third when Puthoff and junior Erin Carpenter pulled offa a double-steal that allowed Carpenter to score.
But the Muskies scored a run in both the sixth and seventh innings to pick up the win.
Sophomore Kelsey Long (8-4) took the loss for Otterbein. She allowed four runs on seven hits, walked four and struck out three.
Clarridge had a fine afternoon for the Cardinals. She went 3-for-8 (.375) with a home run and three RBIs. She also stole two bases to increase her total to 21 this season. With Basford 21st stolen base in game one, the two now share the OAC lead for stolen bases this season.
Freshman Kayla Woodard continued her strong rookie campaign. She was only held off the base paths twice (3-for-5) and drew three walks on the day to go along with her strong defensive play at first base.
Prior to the start of game one, Otterbein honored seniors Clarridge and Liz Holthaus for their contributions to the program over the last four years.
The Cardinals will be back on the diamond tomorrow, April 22, when they host Ohio Wesleyan University for a non-conference double header. The first pitch of game one is scheduled to take place at 1 p.m.
