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WESTERVILLE, Ohio – Otterbein and Marietta traded results on the softball diamond across a league doubleheader Wednesday afternoon, easily the hottest and brightest day of April after weeks of inclement weather.

The Cardinals opened the day with a 5-1 triumph before succumbing to the Pioneers in a shortened rematch, where the visitors prevailed 9-1 on a run-rule outcome.

GAME 1 RECAP:

• Otterbein used a steady, workmanlike approach by scoring at least one run in four of the initial five innings. Caroline Heller put the Cards ahead with an RBI poke early before Marietta responded on a sac fly in the second…
   
• Caitlin Wilkins came up timely with a two-out double in the bottom half of the second, bringing around classmate Rachel Miller before a nice relay to the plate got a second would-be scorer.
   
• The Cards made it 3-1 in the next inning on an unconventional fielder's choice sequence. Isa Lewis charged home from third after a grounder nearby, where the defensive player gave her a brief look/thought before attempting a throw to first.
   
• Otterbein had chances to extend the lead throughout but ran themselves into a few double-play sequences. The Cardinals did break through for another pair of insurance runs in the fifth on consecutive singles from Taylor Baran and Kendall Sestili.
   
• Bryn Grabowski (7-4) allowed just one run all came in the circle for another solid complete-game effort. Sestili, Monday's late hero against Capital, went 2 for 3 at the dish.

GAME 2 RECAP:

• The Pioneers opened strong with four runs in the opening frame, highlighting on a three-run blast from Jess Brown.
   
• Jillian Middleton kept the Cardinal offense under check most of the way, allowing just one hit before the last inning and allowing her club to extend the gap.
   
• That 4-0 margin remained the same until the fifth, where Marietta widened the deficit after a few errors/miscues by Otterbein in the field.
   
• Sage Jenkins launched a solo homer in the bottom part of the inning, but it wouldn't be enough to get back within the eight-run stipulation.
   
• Brook Crosby threw 2.2 innings of scoreless relief for Otterbein.

 
IT'S THE WEEKEND:

• Otterbein remains at home Saturday to cap a busy week, hosting Heidelberg for a twinbill at 1 and 3 p.m.