GAMBIER, Ohio – The Otterbein softball team witnessed the solar eclipse on Monday afternoon during pregame, and then proceeded to split a rescheduled doubleheader at host Kenyon College before the latter game was called due to darkness.

The Cardinals used a massive second inning in the opener to eventually win 9-7, and then came up short in a 5-2 rematch that saw dark-enough skies after the sixth frame.

GAME 1 HIGHLIGHTS:

• A wild and wacky start to the game saw Kenyon post five runs during its first plate appearance, forcing the Cardinals into a pitching change.
   
• Otterbein threw its own haymaker back with nine runs in the second, with 12 hitters going to the dish. A leadoff double from Rachel Miller started the rally, singles from Jen Sindledecker and Kennedi Endsley midway through only furthered things, and a culminating grand slam from Miller applied the exclamation mark!
   
• The Cardinals did not score in any other frame, but the outburst would be enough for Riley Hamm in the circle. Kenyon got one back in the third and then an unearned run in the fifth, but it wouldn't be quite enough.
   
• Hamm allowed just three hits over the seven full while four Cardinals had multi-hit games – with Isa Lewis joining the previously mentioned Miller, Endsley and Sindledecker.

GAME 2 HIGHLIGHTS:

• The rematch was lower scoring but also saw most offensive damage created early, with each side charting two runs in the first. Otterbein benefited from a two-out error defensively by the Owls in which a pair of runners hustled around.
   
• The Cardinals worked for a go-ahead run and managed to get a runner in scoring position (via the sac bunt) in multiple innings going forward, but to no ultimate scoring breakthrough. A pair were in scoring position during the fifth before a flyout.
   
• Kenyon did break through with a run in the fourth, and plated two insurance runs in the sixth before the game was called due to impending darkness.
   
• Chloe Clark hit 2 for 3 in the game while Kiley King pitched all 5.2 innings.

UP NEXT:

The Cardinals get back into OAC play with road doubleheaders at Marietta and Heidelberg, as the team officially moves across the midway point of the regular-season slate.