ALLIANCE, Ohio – A Sunday split was in store for Otterbein and Mount Union on the softball diamond this weekend, where the Cardinals won the opener (1-0) before the Purple Raiders caught steam for a victory (7-0) in the second act.

GAME ONE RECAP:

An old-fashioned pitcher's duel took place in the initial contest, as Otterbein's Bryn Grabowski and Mount Union's Peyton Morrison began sitting hitters down left and right. The game featured just nine total hits, with neither team cracking the scoreboard until the seventh (and final) inning.

Isa Lewis began the go-ahead sequence with a one-out single to right field, then stole second base and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Sami Ange did her job moving the ball in the next at-bat, manufacturing an RBI groundout that brought her teammate home.

Grabowski (10-2) had to work for the complete-game decision, securing two quick outs before the Purple Raiders struck a late rally. A two-out base knock, followed by a hit batter, put the winning run on base and the tying runner in scoring position…

Have no fear, as Grabowski induced a groundout on the ensuing batter to escape the jam. She allowed just four hits over the shutout, fanning four in the process. Macy Allen represented three of Otterbein's five hits from the nine hole.


GAME TWO RECAP:

The second affair wouldn't be as friendly to the Cardinals, although the deficit was just 1-0 midway through the fourth inning. In the bottom half, Mount would plate another two following consecutive triples to lead off the frame.

The Raiders then took advantage of a leadoff error in their next at-bat, stealing two bases around a pair of this to bust the game open. Otterbein unfortunately could not catch up with its remaining plate appearances, getting just one baserunner in the process.

Mount Union standout Alyssa Rose, a first team All-Region selection, threw a no-hitter for the home squad. She walked two batters while striking out seven, improving to a 5-2 record in the circle.


THE AFTERMATH:

Otterbein now stands 16-6 overall this season and a solid 5-3 within Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) play. Mount Union rests with a 12-16 record, 2-6 against the rest of the league.


MOVING FORWARD:

The Cardinals will return home for six games in four days, hosting doubleheaders with Denison, Ohio Northern and Baldwin Wallace.