Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 | Box Score 3 | Box Score 4 KISSIMMEE, Fla. – The Otterbein softball team ended it spring trip going 2-2, including its first mercy rule of the season by defeating Plymouth State 10-1 in five innings.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

THURSDAY – WIDENER (L, 5-3, 8 INN.) & THIEL (W, 4-1)

After having an off day on Wednesday, the Cardinals dropped a hard-fought contest against the Pride. Gabby Johnson was nearly untouchable in the first five innings as she only allowed two hits and struck out six batters.

Widener finally broke through in the sixth and went up 2-0. Otterbein would respond in the bottom half of the frame by capitalizing on multiple errors by the Pride and tying the game at 2-2.

The Pride started playing small ball in the eighth by laying down multiple bunts, which resulted in three runs in the extra inning.

In the second game against Thiel, Otterbein started strong by scoring two runs in the first inning. The pitching duo of Anna Edwards and Alex McComb allowed three hits over the course of seven innings and did not only an earned run.

FRIDAY – TRINE (L, 7-1) & PLYMOUTH STATE (W, 10-1, 5 INN)

On the final day of the spring trip, Otterbein started the day against a Trine team that qualified for the NCAA Tournament last season. Katrina Wierzbicki homered in the fourth inning to cut the deficit to two runs. Trine would score four more runs in the sixth and seventh frames to secure the victory.

Otterbein put together its most complete game in the field and at the plate against Plymouth State. The Panthers got on the scoreboard in the first innings and led 1-0 heading into the third.

Hannah Lewis had a perfect bunt and advanced Sami Ange to second base. The freshman realized that third base was open and made a dash for the bag as the catcher overthrew the left fielder who bolted in to cover third, which resulted in Ange scoring and Lewis ending up at third base.

Freshman Savannah McCoppin singled on the next at bat to score Lewis and gave Otterbein the lead. With two outs in the inning, Hannah Dobrinick hit a hard ground ball to the shortstop who could not properly field the ball as Alyson Shaw and Maria Herron both scored.

In the fifth frame, Chase Brumfield came on to pinch hit and drilled a shot to left-center field scoring Kayla Queer. Miranda Fearigo pinch hit later in the inning and singled to left field to score Emma Spinner to give the Cards their 10th run.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:

The Cardinals earned their first comeback victory over the season against Plymouth State. 

Edwards pitched eight innings in her two victories and only allowed one earned run. Shaw ended the spring trip reaching base safely in nine of the 10 outings, as McCoppin led the team with a .448 batting average.

Maria Herron was a reliable bat in scoring situations as she recorded one RBI in seven different games. The Cardinals went a perfect 11-11 on stolen bases, compared to their counterparts who went 10-15 for the week.

UP NEXT:
The Cardinals will host Denison on Wednesday for its first double header of the year with first pitch set for 3 p.m.