WESTERVILLE — The Otterbein softball team split an Ohio Athletic Conference doubleheader with Muskingum as the Cardinals celebrated Senior Day on Saturday. Junior Emma Calkins led the way with two home runs, while freshman Evie Lehman pitched a shutout in the opener.

The Basics

• Records: Otterbein (14-17 overall, 5-10 OAC), Muskingum (14-17 overall, 9-6 OAC)
• Venue: Otterbein Softball Field - Westerville, Ohio
• Otterbein recognized Chloe Clark, Isa Lewis, Jen Sindledecker and Avery Yoder as part of its Senior Day festivities on Saturday.

Otterbein Stat Leaders - Game 1

• Calkins had two hits, including a home run, to go with two RBIs and one run.
• Graduate student Caroline Heller tallied two hits, one RBI and one run.
• Sophomore Kennedi Endsley had a double and a run.
• Junior Rachel Miller posted a double.
• Lehman had a stellar effort in the pitching circle. She pitched seven scoreless innings while giving up just four hits and two walks while recording five strikeouts.

Game 1 Highlights - Otterbein 3, Muskingum 0

• In what was a tight pitchers' duel throughout, each team managed just three hits over the first five innings.
• Otterbein was finally able to break through in the bottom of the sixth after a leadoff double from Endsley. Heller added a one-out single and advanced to second on the throw home as Endsley scored. Calkins followed with a two-run homer for the 3-0 lead.
• The Muskies had a base-runner in the top of the seventh via a two-out walk, but Lehman struck out the next batter to secure the victory for the Cardinals.
• Otterbein out-hit Muskingum by a 7-4 margin. Both teams were error-free defensively.

Otterbein Stat Leaders - Game 2

• Calkins hit her second home run in as many games to go with one RBI and one run.
• Endsley, Heller, Miller and junior Caitlin Wilkins added one hit each. Heller and Miller each had doubles.

Game 2 Highlights - Muskingum 5, Otterbein 1

• Otterbein took an early 1-0 lead courtesy of Calkins' leadoff solo homer in the bottom of the second inning.
• Muskingum tied the score at 1-1 with an RBI single in the top of the fifth.
• The Cardinals put together a good opportunity to break that tie in the bottom of the sixth after loading the bases with singles from Endsley and Wilkins and a two-out walk to Calkins. But they were unable to capitalize.
• With the score still tied, the Muskies hit back-to-back singles to lead off the top of the seventh and advanced the runners to second and third with a sacrifice bunt. An RBI single broke the tie, and Otterbein opted to change pitchers from freshman starter Addison Yoder to junior Kiley King. Muskingum added a two-out RBI single and 2-RBI triple to go up 5-1.
• Milled led off the bottom of the seventh with a double and advanced to third on a one-out groundout from Lewis. Freshman pinch-hitter Kylie Galownia then drew a walk, but Endsley grounded out to end the game.
• Muskingum out-hit Otterbein by a 10-5 margin. Both teams were error-free defensively.

Notables 

• Heller has 153 hits, 38 doubles and 85 RBIs in her Otterbein career. She ranks third all-time at Otterbein in doubles, seventh in RBIs and is tied for 11th in hits.
• Lewis has 101 hits, 57 RBIs and 30 steals in her Otterbein career.
• Named the OAC Rookie of the Year in 2024, Endsley has 72 hits and 31 steals in her Otterbein career.
• Calkins' two home runs on the day give her four on the season and eight in her career.
• Entering Saturday, Heller ranked fifth in the OAC in batting average (.462), and Endsley ranked fifth in steals (15) and tied for sixth in runs (32). In the circle, Lehman was tied for ninth in strikeouts (34).
• Head coach Bruce Anderson is in his fourth year at Otterbein and has an all-time record of 67-69-1 at the helm of the Cardinals.