Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 WESTERVILLE, Ohio – The Otterbein University softball team tallied an exciting doubleheader sweep during its 2014 home opener Thursday afternoon, taking down Transylvania University by scores of 10-6 and 7-5 at Rike Field.

Freshman Lizzy Snodgrass continued to shine for the Cardinals, picking up the victory in game one on the mound before blasting two home runs, including a walk-off shot in the seventh, to help complete the sweep in game two.

Otterbein came flying out of the gate to begin the day, out-scoring the Pioneers 9-0 over the first three innings to seize control. Transy took advantage of a few Cardinal errors in the fourth inning, plating four runs to get back within striking distance.

The visitors eventually got to within 10-6 after the fifth frame, but the lead would be enough as senior Chelsea Burns closed strong by tossing the final two innings in relief.
 Snodgrass, the reigning Ohio Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Week, improved to 6-1 on the mound by striking out six batters and allowing just two earned runs in her five innings of work. Eight different players hit safely in the game, led by freshman Molly Riggs recording her best offensive output of the young season with a perfect 4 for 4 showing. Senior Rachael Puthoff and freshman Courtney Hanna also delivered nicely, both going 3 for 4.

The Cardinals again assumed control in the second game, getting an early two-run shot over the left-field fence from Snodgrass and playing to a 5-2 advantage after five innings. Transylvania would not go away quietly, scoring once in the sixth before igniting a rally against Burns in the seventh.

The Pioneers put two runners on to begin the frame before ultimately advancing the tying run to third with two outs. Burns then went to battle with Transylvania designated player Katie Hulsman, who settled into what would ultimately be a 15-pitch at-bat. Hulsman eventually reached on a fielding error, helping Transy tie the game before Otterbein got out of the inning.

Snodgrass delivered the knockout punch in Otterbein's final plate appearance, launching a two-out, two-run shot to the same spot in left-center that scored senior Laura Basford from second and promptly ended the game.

"I think sometimes it's easy for teams to accept getting just one game and splitting, but we know it's important not to let teams come in here and beat us on our home field," Cardinal head coach Christine Steines said. "Our team never got down after Transyvlania tied the game. When you hear seniors coming back into the dugout and letting everyone know that we're still in control, I knew we would be just fine."

Seven different Cardinals tallied at least one hit during game two, led by the 3-for-4 output from Snodgrass. Burns picked up her first win of the season on the mound as the pitcher of record in the seventh.

Steines is excited about the team's continued improvement and expects another tough challenge this weekend against crosstown-rival Capital.

"For us, it will always be about the next play, the next inning and next challenge," Steines said. "We have to keep moving forward regardless of whether something good or bad just took place. Whatever happens will happen and our success is determined by how we react."

Starting time for Saturday's doubleheader against Capital is currently scheduled for 1 p.m., although the event could potentially be moved to Sunday as a result of incoming weather.