CLERMONT, Fla. – The Otterbein softball team culminated its roller-coast trip in style Friday afternoon, sweeping a pair of opponents by identical 5-3 final scores to depart on a high note.

The Cardinals, ironically improving to a 5-3 overall record as well, outlasted Pitt-Greensburg to begin the day and then escaped a bases-loaded jam in the afternoon session to upset No. 19-ranked Roanoke College.

PITT-GREENSBURG HIGHLIGHTS:
The Bobcats plated an early run in the first, but Otterbein stayed the course and eventually took the lead with a three-run third. After Sami Ange reached on an error, the Cards took advantage with Savannah McCoppin dropping a bunt single and Sage Jenkins lofting a sac fly.

Greensburg countered to tie things in the fifth, as a double and hit-by-pitch ultimately led to consecutive RBI singles. Otterbein regained momentum in the bottom half, as Isa Lewis stole second base and then came around to score on another RBI rip from Jenkins.

The Cards added an insurance run in the sixth, where pinch runner Chloe Clark scored on a fielder's choice. Taylor Baran drew a leadoff walk in the frame and McCoppin sacrificed herself on a bunt.

Jess Gunter pitched 5.1 for a win in the circle and Haylee Ternovan notched a save across the final 1.2 frames.

ROANOKE HIGHLIGHTS:
In a similar theme to the opener, Otterbein fell behind 1-0 before plating three runs again in the third. Hannah Lewis and Jenkins rocketed balls to left field, Jenkins later sprinted home on a passed ball, and the Cards would have the lead for good.

Roanoke sliced the deficit in half with an unearned run in the sixth… but Cardinal sophomore Megan Payne answered in a huge way as the top of the seventh unfolded. She launched a two-run homer to left field, which cleared the fence and quite possibly hasn't landed yet.

The nationally-ranked Maroons did not go quietly in their final at-bat, finding a way to load the bases (with just one out) and forcing Otterbein to bring in Gunter. After an initial walk, she induced a key pair of fielder's choice groundouts (one at home and the final out at third) to earn a crucial save.

Both teams finished with seven hits, and Roanoke fell to 12-2 on the season with the defeat. Bryn Grabowski was sharp in the circle with no earned runs over 5.1 of work.

LOOKING AHEAD:
Otterbein has a full week off before getting back on the diamond at Bethany College in West Virginia. A doubleheader is currently scheduled for next Saturday (3/19).