Findlay Moves to 2-2
The University of Findlay softball team traveled to Rosemont, Ill. on Saturday, Feb. 27th for back-to-back games against Lewis University and University of Illinois Springfield. The Oilers dropped the first game 6-2 to Lewis, but came back to win 3-2 against Illinois Springfield. The split puts Findlay at 2-2 on the season.
Lewis jumped out to an early 4-0 lead in the top of the third inning before the Oilers could get on the scoreboard. Freshman Rebecca Harvey registered the first run after recording a single and scoring on a RBI double by junior Lauren Trumpler.
The Flyers of Lewis University would add two more runs in the top of the fourth to extend their lead to 6-1. After a couple of scoreless innings, the Oilers would add another run in the bottom of the sixth on a RBI walk by senior Brooke Scherger to make the final score of 6-2.
Junior Jenna Inman recorded the loss on the mound for Findlay, as she pitched two and a third innings, allowed six hits and gave up four runs, only three of them earned. Offensively, the Oilers were led by Trumpler who went 2-for-3 and sophomore Hayley Apple who was 1-for-1.
In the second game, the Findlay bats were quiet for most of the game, but they would come alive at the right time. Illinois Springfield scored two early runs in the top of the second inning to take a 2-0 lead. The score would remain this way until Findlay came away with three runs in the bottom of the fifth inning.
The Oilers first hit of the game came from sophomore Destinie Keeton as she led off the fifth inning with a single. Sophomore Lauren Yacks followed that up with a single of her own to advance Keeton to third. Apple came through in the clutch with a three run home run to left centerfield to give the Oilers a 3-2 advantage. Scherger would also single in the inning, but would be unable to find her way home.
Excellent pitching, combined with stellar defense, sealed the win for the Oilers. Sophomore Chelsea McManaway picked up the win and improved to 2-0 on the season after coming in relief to pitch three innings. She struck out two, gave up two hits, while giving up no runs.
At the plate, the Oilers were led by Keeton who went 2-for-3 with a double and Apple who went 1-for-1 with a three RBI home run.
The Oilers return to take the field on Monday, Feb. 29th in Clermont, Fla. as they take on Wheeling Jesuit at 9am and Gannon at 11am.