SPRINGFIELD, Ohio – It marked the end of a 16-day layoff following spring break in Florida, but Otterbein finally got back on the softball diamond on Sunday afternoon with a non-conference doubleheader just west at Wittenberg.

The Cardinals and Tigers rotated outcomes by exact final scores, with Otterbein taking the opener (4-1) before the hosts got even by the same margin in the rematch.

GAME 1 RECAP:

• Isa Lewis manufactured a sac-fly RBI in the first inning, and that narrow 1-0 lead remained intact all the way into the fifth…
   
• Otterbein found some critical insurance runs in the top of that fifth frame. Caitlin Wilkins kept the sequence alive with a two-out single, and then Lewis rocketed a triple that brought around both Wilkins and lead runner Jen Sindledecker.
   
• Freshman Riley Hamm took that additional run support and carried into the seventh, polishing off her complete-game effort while working through a few runners on base. She benefited nicely from a double-play groundout in the sixth, and the Tigers only mustered their lone run in the seventh (with two outs) and Hamm just barely missed a blank sheet.
   
• Emma Calkins hit a perfect 3 for 3 in the game while Lewis had three RBI on her multiple hits. Hamm struck out six Tigers.

GAME 2 RECAP:

• Lewis picked right back up where she left things offensively, poking a single to left field that allowed Otterbein another early 1-0 lead. Unfortunately, that would end up being the lone Cardinal run of the game despite having a runner on base each of the next three innings.
   
• Wittenberg drew even during its first at-bat, and eventually broke the 1-1 tie in the fourth with a trio of runs… similar to Otterbein's path to victory in the opener. A two-out, 2-RBI single by the Tigers proved critical in the frame.
   
• Emma Calkins (single) and Lexi Hart (walk) reached base in the sixth and seventh, respectively, but to no further push as the Tigers were able to salvage a split.
   
• Megan Payne hit 2 for 3 at the dish while Kiley King provided 1.2 scoreless innings of relief to keep Wittenberg within reach. Maggie McVicker went 4.1 to begin the day, walking none and working hard to limit damage around multiple Wittenberg hits.

BUSY WEEK AHEAD:

The Cardinals will have six games in a four-day span leading into Easter, finally playing at home with a mid-week doubleheader against Denison to begin the stretch. Road matchups at cross-town rival Capital (to begin league action) on Good Friday and then Kenyon will follow.