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NEW CONCORD, Ohio – The Cardinals swept Ohio Wesleyan University on Friday, April 19, before they were dealt a pair of losses in Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) play to Muskingum University on Saturday, April 20.

Otterbein University (15-13, 3-9 OAC) shutout the Battling Bishops (11-17) 4-0 and 9-0 in their non-conference twin bill, before the Muskies (21-11, 6-8 OAC) claimed both games Saturday by scores of 8-4 and 13-4 in conference action.

Pitching was the key in the Cardinals’ 4-0 game one win over Ohio Wesleyan. Junior Kelsey Long (9-4) tossed a complete-game shutout, limiting the Bishops to just five hits, while striking out a season-high eight.

Otterbein scattered several hits, but were able to put pressure on the Wesleyan catcher by stealing four bases.

Senior Erin Carpenter and junior Kristen Ramer notched the only two RBI for the Cards, as Otterbein plated a run on a wild pitch and a daring double-steal of home.

The pitching remained stellar in game two with Ohio Wesleyan, but the Cardinal bats awakened as well in their 9-0 win in six innings.

Otterbein led 3-0 headed into the sixth inning, when they erupted for six runs to push their lead to 9-0.

Junior Chelsea Burns (3-4) was dominant on the mound for the Cards. She shutout the Bishops and limited them to just two hits, struck out three, and did not allow any walks.

Junior Calli Studebaker stroked the ball in the win, driving in three runs on a pair of doubles to left field.

The Cardinals were unable to carry the momentum of their wins on Friday, as they were swept at Muskingum on Saturday.

Game one was tied, 2-2, heading into the bottom of the fifth when the Muskies plated six runs (all unearned) all with two outs in the inning.

The Cardinals responded with one run in the sixth and seventh, but it wasn’t enough and Muskingum claimed an 8-4 win.

Long took the loss for Otterbein, even though she did not allow an earned run. She pitched 4.2 innings, allowed five hits and walked three. The Cardinals were charged with five errors in the loss.

Game two took a similar ugly turn, as the Cardinals held a 4-2 lead headed into the bottom of the fourth, but the Muskies scored the next 11 runs in the contest, including another six-run inning, and picked up a 13-4 win in six innings.

Burns picked up the loss on the bump for the Cardinals. She allowed five runs (four earned) on four hits in three innings of relief.

Otterbein will look to rebound Tuesday, April 23, when they host Heidelberg University for their final scheduled home games of the season. Prior to the 3 p.m. first pitch, the Cardinals will honor their three seniors, Carpenter, Brooke Albright, and Natalie Zwicker for their contributions to the program.