MARIETTA, Ohio – As if final exams weren't difficult enough this week, the Otterbein softball team was dealt a tough pair of results in a return to the diamond Thursday afternoon down at Marietta.

The Cardinals endured a doubleheader sweep by the host Pioneers in a rescheduled twin bill from earlier this month, losing by scores of 13-4 and 9-0. Marietta scored all but one of its 22 runs in two separate innings on the afternoon.

GAME ONE HIGHLIGHTS:

• A wild first inning saw more scoring that anyone was prepared for. Otterbein began the slugfest with four runs in the top of the first, including an early RBI-single from Chloe Clark and then nice double from reigning OAC Hitter of the Week Caroline Heller.
   
• Isa Lewis got enough for a sac fly, and Emma Calkins stole home to make it a 4-0 lead.
   
• However, the Pioneers erupted with a mammoth plate appearance come the bottom half to bring around a dozen runs. The Pioneers had 10 hits in the frame and sent a whopping 17 batters to the plate.
   
• That would just about solidify the opener as Otterbein had just three hits over the next six innings.

GAME TWO HIGHLIGHTS:

• The rematch was a scoreless battle into the fourth, as Maggie McVicker and Breanna Zirkle kept the opposing lineup in check for the initial portion.
   
• Marietta charted all of its scoring in the bottom of the fourth, with the first batter reaching on an error and then six consecutive hits following.
   
• Otterbein couldn't generate any momentum in its next at-bat as the game ended via run rule.

NEXT GAMES UP:

The Cardinals (7-7 OAC) maneuver through the end of exams and into graduation weekend with another road doubleheader, this time heading over to Muskingum come Saturday afternoon. First pitch of the day is set for 1 p.m.