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CLERMONT, Fla.—The Otterbein University softball team played to a 2-2 record over the final two days of its spring trip, finishing 5-4 overall in Clermont, Fla.
"We definitely improved throughout the week," said head coach Christine Steines. "It was good to see the team grow, and it's not going to be great until the final end. I think everybody performed to where we thought at this point and it's going to be exciting when we open up OAC play."
The Cardinals are scheduled to open Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) play Saturday at the University of Mount Union. The first game of the twinbill is set for 1 p.m.
Otterbein opened competition Wednesday with a 2-1 win over Trinity College (Ct.), then dropped a 10-4 decision to Bethel University (Minn.).
Senior Rachael Puthoff hit a double to score freshman pitcher Lizzy Snodgrass for the game-winning RBI in the sixth inning in the win against Trinity. Snodgrass, who went 4-1 over the trip, allowed just three hits over six innings. Senior pitcher Chelsea Burns picked up her second save.
In the second game Wednesday, Bethel scored the last six runs to break open a game that was tied at 4-4 after the first inning. Senior shortstop Laura Basford, freshman designated player Lydia Barnes and freshman third baseman Courtney Hanna each had two hits.
Thursday's competition turned out to be a repeat performance. Otterbein topped Allegheny College, 3-1, before losing to the University of Dubuque, 7-2.
Otterbein, with the bases loaded, scored two unearned runs in the fifth inning when Allegheny pitcher Caitlin Nealer committed an error on a sacrifice bunt from Puthoff. Freshman left fielder Molly Riggs and Basford picked up two hits each. Snodgrass went the distance, allowing just three hits over seven innings.
Basford achieved yet another school record in the win over Allegheny, becoming Otterbein's all-time leader in runs scored. She surpassed Casey Clarridge's recent mark of 127 set back in 2012.
In the second game Thursday, Dubuque scored four runs in the first inning and never looked back. Basford, who batted .483 over the week, had three hits, including a double, in the loss.
