NEW CONCORD, Ohio — The Otterbein softball team battled No. 18-ranked Muskingum on the road Sunday but came up just short in a conference doubleheader, falling 10–9 in a tightly contested opener before dropping an 8–0 run-rule decision in game two.

Game 1 — Muskingum 10, Otterbein 9

A wild and back‑and‑forth opener saw Otterbein pound out 14 hits and build leads of 4–1, 6–3, and 8–5 before Muskingum rallied late to steal a 10–9 decision.

The Cardinals' offense came out blazing, scoring four runs in the first two innings. Caitlin Wilkins reached base all five times, going 3-for-3 and scored four runs, including a second‑inning single that set up a sacrifice fly from Maggie McVicker. Emily Black opened the scoring in the second with a solo homer, and Kaylie Eichorn delivered the biggest swing of the day in the form of a three‑run blast in the fourth that flipped a 5–4 deficit into a 7–5 lead.

The Cardinals extended the margin to 9–6 in the fifth on an Emma Calkins RBI single, but Muskingum answered with four runs across the sixth. Otterbein threatened in the seventh with two on and one out, but a 3–1 double play ended the comeback bid.

Game 2 – Muskingum 8, Otterbein 0

Muskingum completed the sweep holding the Cardinals to two hits in a five-inning shutout.
Wilkins and Kylie Galownia recorded the only hits for the Cardinals, while Muskingum steadily built its lead with single runs in the second, third, and fourth before erupting for five runs in the fifth.

A pair of Otterbein errors extended the fifth inning, where Muskingum capitalized with four hits and two unearned runs to trigger the run rule.

Otterbein travels next to Delaware, Ohio to take on Ohio Wesleyan in a non-conference double header. First pitch is slated for 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 21.