WESTERVILLE, Ohio – The Otterbein softball team was able to celebrate a six-member graduating flock of seniors during pregame Saturday afternoon, and then took on league-leading Muskingum for another crucial doubleheder.

Unfortunately, despite the pregame vibes, the Muskies would hand the Cardinals a pair of competitive losses by scores of 7-3 and 3-0 on a hot and sunny day.


THE RECORDS:
Muskingum improves to 27-7 overall and 13-3 against the Ohio Athletic Conference, while the Cardinals still remain in the hunt for a postseason spot at 20-10 this spring and 7-7 within the league.

GAME ONE RECAP:
Otterbein jumped all over Muskingum pitcher Hannah Smith early, working multiple pitch counts an ultimately getting a huge three-run double off the bat of Taylor Baran. The Muskies got two back in the second inning, made a pitching change to to Alyssa Marlatt before the bottom half, and jumped ahead for good in the third with another pair.

Marlatt used the confidence from escaping a jam in the second, where an Otterbein runner was thrown out at the plate, to limit the Cardinal offense moving forward. The home side had two runners on in the fifth… but to no avail as a linout and flyout ended the push.

Muskingum found breathing room in the sixth, scoring twice and then plating another (unearned) after three Cardinal errors in the field. Otterbein went in order during its final six outs.

GAME TWO RECAP:
After getting some pulled pork (which absolutely slapped), courtesy of Megan Payne's father between games, the Cardinals got back on the diamond for a dynamite pitching showdown between Madelyn Thomas and Bryn Grabowski.

The Muskies took a quick 1-0 lead on a double to right-center, and neither team was able to hit the scoreboard over the next few innings. Otterbein got Isa Lewis to third in the second, but the inning stalled, and then had a prime opportunity in the third with runners on the corners and nobody out…

Savannah McCoppin legged out a nice bunt, but the throw down to first was quickly relayed home to get Macy Allen trying to score. A popup and fielder's choice on the next two hitters gave momentum back to the visiting dugout.

Muskingum extended its lead to 2-0 in the next at-bat, and Thomas kept Otterbein off the scoreboard despite multiple lineouts and other very good pieces of contact. The Cards' best chance came in the sixth with the tying run at the plate before a popup to first base halted the mini rally.

Thomas improves to 11-1 in the circle this season, allowing just three hits the entire day. Grabowski was forced to absorb the loss but still holds a 12-4 mark.

THANK YOU SENIORS:
Prior to first pitch, the program took the opportunity to celebrate a six-pack of upperclassmen in MMacy Allen, Savannah McCoppin, Sami Ange, Jess Gunter, Hannah Lewis and Sage Jenkins. Admirably, they also presented flowers to five seniors on the Muskingum side.


LOOKING AHEAD:
The Cardinals will take on final exams to begin next week and later head to Wilmington (Thursday afternoon) to make up a rescheduled doubleheader. Another road twinbill at John Carorll will punctuate the regular season.