CLERMONT, Fl. — Otterbein fell in game one to Penn State Behrend, 5-2, before delivering a composed yet commanding performance in game two, edging Western New England 5–4 in a tightly contested nightcap at Legends Way Field.
Game One: Penn State Behrend 5, Otterbein 2
Trailing 2-0 through the first three innings, the Cardinals answered with a crooked number in the top of the fourth to even the score.
Emma Calkins sparked the rally with a ground-rule double to left field before
Mae Meldrum followed with a single down the same line, moving Calkins to third. Alert base running on the ensuing first-and-third situation allowed both runners to advance, with Calkins scoring and Meldrum moving into scoring position.
Bri Dowell then brought home the tying run with a single to left field before Penn State Behrend limited the damage.
Despite erasing the Lions' early advantage, Otterbein fell 5-2 after Penn State Behrend added a run in the fifth and two more in the sixth.
In the circle,
Addison Yoder took the loss after working the first 4.2 innings.
Kaycee Berentz came on in relief and pitched the final 1.1 innings.
Game Two: Otterbein 5, West New England 4
The Cardinals set the tone early behind
Caitlin Wilkins, who sparked the offense with three hits and two runs scored, including the opening run on a first‑inning wild pitch.
Rachel Miller and Calkins powered a pivotal fifth‑inning surge, ripping back‑to‑back RBI hits to build a 3–0 advantage. After Western New England briefly erased the lead with a three‑run sixth, Otterbein responded immediately and decisively.
Ciana D'Antoni opened the bottom half with a double,
Bre Preston drove her in moments later, and Wilkins added another RBI single to restore control.
Kara Mekulsia set the tone in the circle with 5.2 strong innings, allowing just four hits while recording eight defensive putouts and keeping the Golden Bears off the board through five. King secured the final four outs, stranding the tying run in scoring position in the seventh to improve to 2–0 in the circle.
