Findlay Continues Hot Streak
The University of Findlay softball team kept their win streak alive, as they defeated Lake Superior State University 9-1 and 6-1 on Saturday, March 26th in Findlay, Ohio at Anderson Field. The victories improve Findlay to 18-8 on the season and 4-0 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletics Conference.
In the bottom of the first, senior Brooke Scherger and sophomore Meredith Shepherd singled to lead off the game. Sophomore Kelley Cejer cleared the bases with a home run to left field for an early 3-0 Findlay lead.
The Lakers of Lake Superior State got on the scoreboard in the top of the second to reduce Findlay's lead to 3-1.
In the bottom of the second, sophomore Hayley Apple doubled to start things off. After a groundout, Scherger brought Apple around the bases with a RBI single to put the Oilers up 4-1 heading into the third.
Findlay would get runners in scoring position in the third, but would leave them stranded.
The bottom of the fourth featured five runs on six hits by the Oilers. Sophomore Amanda Delmonte doubled and Scherger followed up with a single. Cejer added to her RBI total with a single to score a runner. Junior Lauren Trumpler also helped the cause with a RBI single. With two outs, freshman Rebecca Harvey came through with a two RBI single and junior Kelsey Borders doubled to bring in the final run of the inning with the Oilers leading 9-1. This would prove to be the final score after a fifth inning shutout by the Findlay defense.
Freshman Hailey Bryan (6-5) picked up the victory on the mound, as she pitched five innings, giving up only four hits, one run, and striking out one.
At the plate, the Oilers registered thirteen hits in the game, led by Scherger (3-for-3 with a RBI), Cejer (2-for-3, four RBIs), Harvey (2-for-3, two RBIs), and Borders (2-for-3, one RBI).
After a scoreless first inning, the Oilers got on the scoreboard in the top of the second. Trumpler and Apple began the inning with back-to-back walks. A sacrifice bunt moved both runners into scoring position. With two outs, Delmonte gave Findlay their first runs of the game with a two RBI single for an early 2-0 lead.
In the bottom of the second, the Lakers cut the deficit to 2-1 as scored their only run of the game on a RBI single following a leadoff double.
After a scoreless third, Trumpler doubled and Apple added another walk. With one out, Borders and Delmonte continued their hot streaks with back-to-back RBI singles to push the Oilers lead to 4-1.
The final runs of the game for Findlay came in the top of the seventh. Scherger reached on an error and freshman Breanna Cleland singled. A sacrifice fly by Cejer scored Scherger and Trumpler singled to bring Cleland home for a 6-1 final with the Oilers on top.
Junior Jenna Inman got the start for Findlay going two innings, giving up three hits, and one run. Sophomore Chelsea McManaway (11-1) got the victory, as she pitched five innings, giving up just one hit, one walk, and striking out fourteen.
In the second game, Trumpler (2-for-3, one RBI) and Delmonte (2-for-3, three RBIs) led Findlay at the plate.
The University of Findlay softball team returns to the playing field on Tuesday, March 29th for a double header, as they take on Ohio Dominican in Columbus, Ohio. The first game is scheduled to begin at 3pm.