Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

GAMBIER, Ohio – The Otterbein University softball team allowed a late comeback to Kenyon in game one and fell, 12-11, before tying, 6-6, in a darkness shortened second game.

Otterbein (15-3-2 overall) resumes Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) play on Saturday against Baldwin Wallace. Game one of the doubleheader is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.

Game 1

The first game proved to be all about offense, as the two teams combined for 23 runs on 30 hits, each committing a pair of errors on defense.

Sophomore pitcher Rachael Owens got the start for the Cardinals, but lasted only one and two-thirds innings, surrendering nine runs on 10 hits to Kenyon. Freshman pitcher Gabby Johnson came on in relief of Owens to toss four and a third innings of two-hit ball, giving up three runs while striking out four batters.

The Cards trailed 1-0 after the first inning, as the Ladies put together three hits in the initial frame to take an early advantage. Junior Tory Speakman, the reigning OAC 'Hitter of the Week', tied the game the next inning on a single to center field that scored Owens.

Fellow junior Niki Weaver then reached on a fielder's choice that pushed classmate Molly Riggs across the plate for the first Cardinal lead of the game. Otterbein held a 3-1 lead heading into the bottom of the second inning before Kenyon scored two runs to change the score to 5-3.

The Cardinal offense exploded beginning in the fourth inning, as the team scored six runs over the course of four frames to take an 11-8 lead heading into the last half of seventh inning. Otterbein allowed four runs in the final inning, as the Ladies scored on a solo home run and three singles.

Sophomore Megan Garner went a perfect 4-for-4 at the dish, combining with Flasco to drive in seven runs, recording four runs batted in.

Game 2

Owens gave the Cards a 1-0 advantage in the early going, driving in Flasco on a single into left field. Kenyon then put together five runs over the course of the first two innings, taking a 5-1 lead.

The third inning proved to be the bright spot offensively for the Cards, as they manufactured four runs on five hits. Owens again provided the scoring hits for Otterbein, driving in a pair of runs on a single to right center with one out.

Weaver pushed across the other two Cardinal runs on a two-run single to right field to tie the game at 5-5. Otterbein's offense stalled for the next three innings, while Kenyon took a 6-5 lead in its half of the fourth, before sophomore Bailey McElwain led off the seventh inning with an infield single.

Garner promptly drove in McElwain in the next at-bat, doubling to left field to tie the game at six apiece. The Cards exited their half of the inning unable to push across another run despite having two runners in scoring position with no outs.

Kenyon failed to regain the lead in the bottom half of the inning, as the game was called due to darkness, resulting in the Cards' second tie of the season.

Sophomore pitcher Hannah Smith started the game for Otterbein, pitching one and two-thirds of an inning while allowing five runs on six hits. Johnson recorded the no decision for the Cards in relief of Smith, tossing five and a third innings while allowing one run on four hits and striking out five batters.

McElwain batted 4-for-4 in the game, scoring two runs, while Owens and Riggs combined to hit 5-for-7 and score two runs. The Cards outhit Kenyon, 14-10, combining for 54 total hits in the twin bill.