Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2
WILMINGTON, Ohio – Otterbein softball collected its first win in 362 days Saturday afternoon by way of knocking-off the host Wilmington Quakers, 9-8. But the Quakers bounced back in game two with a 5-3 win to earn a split on day one.
The four games between the two sides are considered non-conference games and the teams will play another four-game series later this spring.
GAME ONE:
- The Cardinal offense started things with a bang thanks to Senior Hannah Dobrinick who hit a three-run-homer in her first plate appearance of the season.
- The Quakers answered in their half of the inning with a double to right center by Lizz Hadley.
- Otterbein scored again in the second, but the Quakers did some more damage by plating three runs to bring it even at four.
- The Cards pulled ahead in the third with a 6-4 advantage. Jess Gunter held the hosts scoreless in their half by recording a swinging strike out, and stranding two runners with an inning ending ground ball to short stop Katrina Wierzbicki.
- Wilmington added four more runs, two in both the 4th and 5th inning while the Cards added one in each. Otterbein scored one in the top of the 6th and held the Quakers scoreless in the final two frames.
- Freshman Brook Crosby came on to pitch in relief of Gunter, who went four and a third innings, to earn her first collegiate win. Crosby gave up just one hit to the 10 batters she faced, recording two strike outs and allowing a lone walk after entering in an 8-8 tie.
GAME TWO:
- The second game of the day was a pitcher's duel early, each side saw base runners but neither team could plate anyone through three innings.
- Wilmington finally broke through in the bottom of the 4th with a bases loaded single, followed by an infield single that plated another run forcing starting pitcher Isabelle Fisher into an early exit.
- Crosby once again entered the game in relief but this time the Quakers had her number. The hosts plated three more runs on a wild pitch and a double to right center, extending the lead to 5-0.
- The Cards finally scored in the top of the 6th inning on a Megan Payne two-RBI double to right center, her first collegiate hit.
- Otterbein made it interesting in the final inning, bringing the tying run to the plate but were only able to tack on a single run.
- Wilmington got a complete game effort from starting pitcher Hayley Suchland who gave up just five hits.
UP NEXT:
The Cardinals will welcome Wilmington to Westerville tomorrow for more doubleheader action. Game times are slated for 1 and 3:30 p.m.
