PHOTO GALLERY

WESTERVILLE, Ohio. – Otterbein Softball had a clean sweep against Baldwin Wallace on Saturday afternoon, fueled by a heavy offensive performance and strong pitching that led to one game finishing with a run rule.
 
Otterbein entered the game at 11-15 (5-5 OAC) faced off against a 16-10 BW team (6-2 OAC). With wins of 9-0 and 12-9, Otterbein's victory propelled them to fourth place in the conference standings.
 
GAME ONE RECAP:

• In the first inning, Caroline Heller kicked off the game with a two-run homer that ricocheted off the Clements Center, securing an early two-run lead for the Cardinals.
   
• The Cardinals added another run in the second inning when a throwing error allowed Rachel Miller to score and secure a lead of 3-0.
   
• In the bottom of the third inning, the Cardinals party didn't stop. Kennedi Endsley kickstarted the momentum with a double to left field, followed by Chloe Clark reaching base with a bunt. Caroline Heller then cleaned up the bases with a double to left center, driving in both runners and extending the lead to 5-0.
   
• In the third inning, three additional runs were tallied through a series of consecutive hits, with Caitlin Wilkins contributing two RBIs with a hit to right center and pushing the score to 8-0 and bringing about a run rule.
   
• Riley Hamm and the defense sprang into action, keeping the Yellow Jackets off the scoreboard as Hamm feels some wind with seven strikeouts.

 
GAME TWO RECAP:

• Similar to the first game, Emma Calkins smashes a two-run homer to add two to the scoreboard.
   
• BW quickly responded by capitalizing on two errors, scoring unearned runs that tied the game.
   
• The Cardinals regained the lead with bases loaded after a walk. Heller's hit up the middle drove in two more runs, putting the Cards ahead 5-2.
   
• In the third inning, BW scored one run with a sacrifice fly to bring the score to 5-3.
   
• The Yellow Jackets evened the score in the fourth inning after a string of walks, followed by some hits, putting them ahead 8-5.
   
• In the next inning, Otterbein responded by leveling the score with a hit from Clark, bringing home Wilkins who had walked previously. Endsley scored on a wild pitch, and Clark made it home on a ground out by Heller to make the score 8-8.
   
• BW secured another run thanks to a passed ball in the sixth inning.
   
• The Cardinals party kicked off in the sixth inning, scoring four runs. Back-to-back doubles by Clark and Heller gave them a one-run lead. Otterbein capitalized on two more unearned runs from a walk and an error, extending the score to 12-9.
   
• Hamm returned to close out the game with the bases loaded, securing a double play that sealed the Cardinals' sweep.

 
BACK ON THE FIELD:
 
The team is set to journey to Marietta for another round of conference doubleheaders on Thursday, with the first pitch scheduled for 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.