Oilers Split With Saginaw Valley
The University of Findlay softball team hosted Saginaw Valley State University for a double header on Sunday, April 17th. The Oilers split with the Cardinals to move to 27-15 on the season and to 13-7 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC).
Game 1 L 7-5 (Box Score)
In the first contest of the day, Findlay only registered three hits, compared to ten for Saginaw Valley. The Oilers also committed five costly errors.
The Cardinals scored three runs in the top of the first to take an early 3-0. They added another run in the second inning to go ahead 4-0.
Findlay got on the scoreboard in the bottom half of the second with four walks to cut the lead to 4-1, but would leave runners stranded.
The Oilers added two more runs in the bottom of the fifth without registering a hit. A fielding error, followed by consecutive walks brought in one runner, then junior Lauren Trumpler brought a runner home with a sacrifice fly to trail 4-3.
Saginaw Valley tacked on one run in the sixth and two more in the seventh to lead 7-3.
Findlay's late rally came up short in the bottom of the seventh. With one out, senior Brooke Scherger singled and freshman Erika Farst walked. Bases were loaded after catcher's interference. After a popout, junior Katie Dunphy brought two runners home with a single. The Oilers would end the game 7-5 on a ground out.
Freshman Hailey Bryan (12-7) took the loss on the mound for Findlay. She pitched three innings giving up four runs (two earned) on seven hits.
At the plate, the Oilers were led by Scherger who finished 2-for-3 with two runs scored and Dunphy (1-for-3, two RBIs).
Game 2 W 1-0 (Box Score)
The second contest featured a dominant pitching performance by both teams, but Findlay sophomore Chelsea McManaway (14-4) shined brighter. She pitched a perfect game for the Oilers, striking out eighteen. That puts her season total to 176, one behind her own school record.
The only hit of the game for the either team, came from the Oilers in the third by sophomore Meredith Shepherd.
The winning run for Findlay came in the top of the fourth on a RBI groundout by sophomore Rebecca Harvey.
The Oilers are back in action on Tuesday, April 19th at home against Ashland University for a double header. The first game is scheduled for a 3:30pm start.