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WESTERVILLE, Ohio – It wasn't the best of weather conditions Friday afternoon, but the Otterbein softball team found a way to host Kenyon College in its home opener and ultimately sweep the Ladies by final scores of 12-11 and 4-2.

The Cardinals overcame an early deficit in the opener before working back, and then received a pitching gem from Bryn Grabowski in a much-quicker rematch. As a result, the team now stands with a solid 9-3 overall record this season.

Game 1 Recap:
It was all Kenyon early, as the visitors posted six runs in their first at-bat to force a Cardinal pitching change. Otterbein sliced the deficit in half during the bottom portion of the frame to settle in.

Both sides then traded runs in the middle innings, and Kenyon stood on top with an 8-4 cushion midway through the fifth. The Cardinals erupted to cross seven runs in the ensuing plate appearance, sending 13 hitters to bat in the process…

Six-consecutive hits began that fifth-inning rally, which included RBI-doubles from Megan Payne, Caroline Heller and Taylor Baran followed by a timely 2-RBI poke from Sage Jenkins later on. Otterbein could have done even more damage, seeing the bases loaded (with one out) before Kenyon escaped the lengthy jam.

The Ladies scored three in the next inning to knot the game at 11-11, but Otterbein would enjoy the final laugh shortly thereafter. Hannah Lewis scored from third base on a wild pitch with two outs that ended up being the difference maker.

Haylee Ternovan allowed just one (unearned) run in two innings of relief while Grabowski was credited with the pitching win. The game featured 15 hits from each team and lasted more than two hours.

Lewis and Savannah McCoppin were both a perfect 4 for 4 offensively while Jenkins and Payne had multi-hit outings as well.

Game 2 Recap:
Both squads traded a pair of runs early, with Kenyon striking again in the first before Otterbein countered in the second frame. There, Isa Lewis tripled to right-center (bringing around Hannah) before Sami Ange moved the ball nicely for an RBI groundout.

The Cardinals jumped ahead for good in the fourth, using extra-base knocks and shifty baserunning to create separation. Consecutive doubles from the Lewis duo put Otterbein ahead, and Isa then slid safely across the plate on a double-steal with Ange.

The lead would be enough for Grabowski, who went the distance en route to a second victory in the circle on the day. She improved to 6-1 this spring, working out of some key situations with runners on base in holding Kenyon scoreless over the final six.

UP NEXT:
Due to inclement weather approaching the area, this weekend's OAC doubleheader with cross-town Capital has been pushed to Monday afternoon. Game times are slated for 3 and 5 p.m.