WESTERVILLE, Ohio – The Otterbein Softball team was forced to settle with a doubleheader split in its Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) opener Tuesday afternoon across town, edging host Capital in extra innings before seeing the tables turned in another tight rematch of the "Roush Auto Rivalry Showdowns."

The Cardinals held off a late Capital rally in the opener, escaping 9-8 in eight innings thanks to an RBI-double from pinch hitter Jess Gunter. Otterbein then nearly completed a sweep, carrying a 2-1 lead midway through the seventh before the Comets came up with a walk-off hit.

As a result of winning the second game, Capital receives initial possession of the newly-instated rivalry oar.

GAME 1 RECAP: (W 9-8)
The first inning saw a combined 10 runs plated, with Otterbein crossing six during its first at-bat before Capital responded with four in the bottom half. Included in the first was a two-run bomb from Isa Lewis.

The Cards added to their lead moving forward and held an 8-4 cushion down the stretch. Capital struck a comeback, however, with two runs in the sixth and then another two in the seventh that forced extras. The Comets nearly walked off in that final push, loading the bases until a fielder's choice allowed the Cards to keep playing.

Otterbein weathered the momentum and regained control, as Sami Ange advanced to second on a wild pitch in the eighth before Gunter's pinch-hit knock brought her around. Haylee Ternovan came on in the bottom portion, securing three quick outs for a timely save.

Caroline Heller and Taylor Baran both enjoyed three-hit performances while Gunter had seven strikeouts in as many innings.

GAME 2 RECAP (L 3-2):
The rematch didn't feature quite as much offense, trading single runs in the middle frames before the plot thickened to begin the seventh.

Despite two quick outs, Otterbein remained gritty to manufacture a go-ahead run off the bat of Heller. Savannah McCoppin had an infield single, Megan Payne reached on an error, and Heller soon delivered a timely poke through the left side.

Unfortunately, the Comets had the last laugh in their rebuttal with a two-out, two-RBI, walk-off single up the middle from the No. 9 hitter Kelcie Schnitzler.

McCoppin hit 2 for 4 in the game while reigning OAC Pitcher of the Week Bryn Grabowski was solid despite the loss. She struck out five in nearly going the distance.

QUICK TURNAROUND:
Otterbein will continue its jam-packed week tomorrow back at home, playing Ohio Wesleyan in another doubleheader with first pitch scheduled for 3:30 p.m.