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WESTERVILLE, Ohio - The Otterbein University softball team hosted Wittenberg on Friday in the team's first home game of the year, falling in game one, 3-0, before tying in game two, 4-4, as the game was called due to darkness. 

Otterbein (11-2-1 overall) is now set to host Ohio Wesleyan this coming Tuesday. Game one of the doubleheader is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.

Game 1

Both pitchers were flawless in the circle through the first four innings, while Cardinal sophomore pitcher Rachael Owens held the Tigers' first six batters hitless. 

Wittenberg posted the only runs of the game on a four-hit inning in the top half of fifth, plating three runs after a double by Tiger pitcher Chelsea Zang led off the frame. Tiger shortstop Loren Combs drove in a pair of runs on a bunt single that resulted in a throwing error by the Cards. 

The Berg tallied one more run in the inning, holding the Cardinals to just three hits over the remaining three innings of play. Owens picked up her initial loss of the season after beginning the year with a 7-0 record, allowing three runs on eight hits while walking two batters.

Game 2

Otterbein got down 4-0 after the top half of the third inning, as Wittenberg a pair of runs in the second and third to take an early lead. Junior Molly Riggs led off the Cardinal half of the third inning with a single, eventually coming around to score on a single up the middle by classmate Maddie Flasco.

Sophomore Bailey McElwain then drove Flasco in on a sharp hit to shortstop, before Owens stepped to the plate and singled through the left side of the Tiger infield to make the score 4-3 heading into the fourth inning.

The Cards tied the game at four apiece in the fourth inning after Riggs again reached first base on a leadoff single. Riggs stole second base one batter later, before Flasco again came through with a one-run double to center field.   

The two teams combined for just three hits over the final two innings of play, as the game was eventually ended by the umpires after six innings due to darkness. Freshman pitcher Gabby Johnson started the game for the Cards, going an inning and a third while surrendering two hits and a pair of runs.

Sophomore pitcher Hannah Smith relieved Johnson in the second inning with the bases loaded and one out, getting a pair of outs on the same play before going four and two-thirds allowing six hits and two runs while striking out four Tiger batters. Flasco, Riggs and freshman Alyson Shaw each recorded two hits for the Cards.