Findlay Splits at Grand Valley
On Thursday, April 14th The University of Findlay softball team had a Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) double header at Grand Valley State University. The Oilers earned a split, taking the first game 2-1 and falling 5–3 in the second game. This moves Findlay to 26-12 on the season and 12-4 in the GLIAC.
Game 1 (Box Score)
The pitchers seemed to take control of the game, as each team only surrendered four hits each. The deciding factor was that the Oilers took advantage of a pair of miscues by the Lakers to take game one 2-1.
Freshman Hailey Bryan (12-5) got the victory for Findlay as she pitched four innings giving up one run on four hits with one walk. Sophomore Chelsea McManaway picked up her fourth save on the season, which gives her the new school record for saves in a season. She pitched three innings giving up no runs or hits with four strikeouts. The previous record of three saves was set in 2011 by former Findlay standout Brittany Dauterman.
The third inning was an eventful inning, as all the runs by both teams occurred in this inning.
In the top half of the inning, sophomore Hayley Apple reached on an error and a fielder's choice resulted in the first out. Senior Brooke Scherger walked and a groundout moved the runners to second and third. With two outs, junior Katie Dunphy delivered with a two RBI single to take a 2-0 lead.
In the bottom of the inning, an RBI single cut the Oiler lead to 2-1, but that would end the scoring for the game.
The Oilers threatened to extend their lead in the top of the sixth, but they failed to convert with bases loaded. Sophomore Kelley Cejer and junior Kelsey Borders singled in the inning.
At the plate, the Oilers were led by Dunphy who finished 1-for-4 with two RBIs and junior Jenna Huff finished 1-for-1.
This is the first win for Findlay against Grand Valley since the Oilers defeated the Lakers 6-5 on April 11, 2010 in Findlay.
Game 2 (Box Score)
In the second contest, the Lakers used eleven hits, compared to just seven for the Oilers to take game two.
Grand Valley got off to a hot start with three runs in the top of the first for an early 3-0 lead. Findlay would tie the game in the third inning on a three run home run by sophomore Meredith Shepherd. Apple and Scherger singled earlier in the inning for the Oilers.
The Lakers regained the lead in the top of the fourth with a two out RBI single. The last run of the game for either team came by Grand Valley in the fifth for a 5-3 final score.
Junior Jenna Inman (1-3) took the loss on the mound. She pitched four innings giving up four runs on nine hits.
Borders led the Oilers at the plate in game two as she finished the game 2-for-3 and Shepherd finished 1-for-2 with the three run home run.
Findlay returns home for senior day on Saturday, April 16th for a double header against Wayne State. The first game is set to begin at 1pm.