Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

CINCINNATI, Ohio – The Cardinal softball team split a doubleheader at Mount St. Joseph Thursday, falling 6-2 before rebounding with a 4-2 win in game two at Kinder Morgan Field.

Otterbein (9-2 overall) travels to Wittenberg next Tuesday for a non-conference doubleheader in Springfield, Ohio. First pitch of game one is set for 3:30 p.m.

Game One

Otterbein was limited to just one hit through the first three innings and left four runners on base, as MSJ got out of multiple situations where the Cardinals had runners in scoring position.

MSJ was conversely held to a pair of hits through the first two frames before erupting in the bottom half of the third inning for six runs, spraying all six of its hits before the Cards recorded an out. Owens exited the game after surrendering five-straight hits, giving way to freshman Kasey Morris.

The Cardinals pushed across two runs the following inning to narrow their deficit to 6-2, as sophomore Alyson Shaw led off the frame with a single up the middle before scoring on a double off the bat of Morris.

Senior Molly Riggs plated the Cards' second run two batters later on a run-scoring groundout, plating Morris. Those two runs proved to be the final ones of the contest for Otterbein as MSJ held the Cardinals hitless over the final three innings.

Otterbein finished with just three hits in the game, as Owens recorded her first loss of the season after lasting just two innings and surrendering five earned runs. Morris came on in relief to toss the final four innings, allowing one run on four hits.

MSJ starting pitcher Paige Kiesewetter went the distance in the circle with seven innings, striking out three batters and walking four to snap the Cards' five-game winning streak.

Game Two

MSJ was first to ink the scoreboard in game two, pushing across one run on two hits before the Cardinals responded with a run of their own on a double by Shaw that scored junior Megan Garner.

Sophomore pitcher Gabby Johnson shut the Lions down from that point forward, allowing just two hits while stifling the MSJ offense.

Otterbein provided two more runs in support of Johnson as well, as Garner and Shaw helped the Cards gain a 4-2 advantage as part of four base runners in the fifth inning.

The Cardinals finished the game with an 8-4 edge in hits despite going just 3-for-11 with runners in scoring position. Garner and Shaw led the team with two hits and a pair of runs apiece, while Owens and fellow junior Bailey McElwain were credited with the other two Cardinal runs.

Johnson, who improved to 3-0 on the year, accounted for her first complete game of the season in the circle after surrendering four hits and a pair of runs, striking out three, over seven innings of work.