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WESTERVILLE, Ohio – Hang it in the Louvre.

Last season, the Otterbein softball team was one pitch away from completing a sweep across town before Capital escaped on a two-out, two-RBI, walk-off single that gave the Comets first possession of the newly-instated Rivalry Oar.

After more than a full year of waiting, the Cardinals turned the tables with their own two-out rally in the rematch to prevail in extra innings and claim possession of said Oar. The Cards faced a 6-4 deficit with two outs (and the bases empty), but strung together four-consecutive hits to steal the day!

Otterbein comfortably won the opening game (11-4) and rested on top (7-6) after a raucous second installment that took nine innings. The teams had waited an extra nine days to play after inclement weather forced multiple postponements. 

GAME 1 RECAP:

• Otterbein scored four runs in the first inning after leadoff hitter Jen Sindledecker reached base to begin, as a wide throw brought a foot off the bag and allowed the first Cardinal to land safely.
   
• Capital closed that gap to 4-3 a couple innings later on a long single that cleared the bases.
   
• The Cards responded with two of their own in the bottom half and ultimately led 6-4 midway through the sixth.
   
• Otterbein broke the game open (and nearly secured a run-rule) with five runs in the bottom of inning. Highlighting the stretch was a three-run homer off the bat of Kendal Sestili.
   
• Five Cardinals tallied multi-hit games while Bryn Grabowski went the distance in the circle, improving to a 6-4 mark individually.

GAME 2 RECAP:

• The rematch featured all kinds of twists and turn after the midway point, where Otterbein clung to a 2-0 lead after four innings.
   
• A pair of Capital home runs put the visitors ahead to begin the fifth before the Cards smacked right back in the bottom portion, benefiting from a handful of wild/errant pitches to regain a 4-3 edge.
   
• That score remained until the Comets threatened mightily in the top of the seventh, loading the bases (with no outs) after three-straight singles. Capital tied the game on a sac fly just before Otterbein made another pitching change, as Autumn Fowler came on to retire the next-two batters and limit damage.
   
• Otterbein got the potential winning run into scoring position with two outs in the seventh, but a line drive was snagged by the right fielder to force extras. The Cards then moved a runner into scoring position with a sac bunt in the eighth… before getting a bit too aggressive and running themselves out of the sequence.
   
• Capital took advantage in the top of the ninth with a 2-RBI single from pitcher Krislyn Bayles, who gave herself a pair of insurance runs heading to the bottom half…
   
• Bayles notched two quick outs and put Otterbein's back against the wall… but the home side wasn't going anywhere quietly. Caroline Heller and Megan Payne kept things alive with back-to-back singles, and Taylor Baran (whose line drive was caught in the seventh) found grass this time around with a game-tying double that brought her teammates around.
   
• Sestili, ready to atone for getting caught on the bases in the previous inning, stepped into the limelight and ripped a ball down the left-field line to let Baran hustle around! Game, set, match.
   
• The game featured a combined 28 hits with Payne (3 for 5), Heller, Baran, Isa Lewis and Sage Jenkins all recording multiple knocks.
   
• Fowler was credited with the first pitching win of her young college career.

KENDALL COMMENTS:

"We were ready and fired up to play our rivals after having the full weekend off. I made two outs in the first game before that home run, which I think really boosted my confidence helped me relax moving forward. – on her big three-run homer

"Caroline has been so solid for us and I knew she would give us a chance, and so we start inching back before Taylor hits that double to tie the game. I honestly went up there feeling at ease. After taking a few pitches, I just remember seeing a meaty pitch on the inside and blacking out. Next thing I know, I see my coach smiling while running to first base… then our crowd going crazy and my teammates running out to celebrate. – on the final sequence

"They were the reason I had so much confidence to produce at the end. We don't win that second game without every single player on the roster, in some way or form. You can always have a role even if you aren't directly on the field." – on a total group effort

BUSY WEEK AHEAD:

• The Cardinals have two more doubleheaders at home this week, hosting Marietta on Wednesday and then Heidelberg come Saturday afternoon.

NOTE: We apologize again for video stream interruption, as the facility is currently experiencing inconsistent (and unexpected) power delays due to a mechanical issue.