NEW CONCORD, Ohio – Another tough day on the softball diamond played out for Otterbein just west at Muskingum on Saturday afternoon, as the Cardinals were unfortunately blanked in a pair of games by culminating scores of 11-0 and 3-0.

The Muskies stay in contention atop the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) standings while the Cards are now on the outside looking into the four-team postseason bracket. Otterbein is locked in a fifth-place tie with Marietta, two games out of fourth and needing help entering the final week.

GAME ONE BREAKDOWN:

The Muskies used a grand slam in the first inning of the opener to capture momentum and never let it go. A pair of extra-base hits in the third expanded the gap and Otterbein mustered just two hits all game.

Kennedi Endsley went 1 for 3 from the leadoff spot while Rachel Miller had a base hit and walk.

GAME TWO BREAKDOWN:

The rematch was more competitive and tight across the full seven, as neither team was able to crack through until Muskingum plated a solo run in the fourth. The Muskies almost scored another but a heads-up look to the plate was able to get the lead runner shortly after.

Muskingum added a pair of insurance runs in the next frame, and Otterbein ended with just one hit in the contest. The Cards also drew three walks but were unable to cross anything before the final out.

Maggie McVicker tossed the initial 4.2 innings and Kiley King tossed a clean 1.1 frames coming in.

LOOKING AHEAD:

The Cardinals have a non-conference doubleheader scheduled for Wednesday just up the road at Ohio Wesleyan, before hosting Wilmington in the finale next Saturday on campus. The Cardinals (also hosting Senior Day) would need to sweep and receive other results around the league to potentially have a chance at making the postseason.