Oilers Split at Ashland
The University of Findlay softball team traveled to Ashland University on Friday, April 14 for a Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) doubleheader. The Oilers took game one, but were unable to knock off the Eagles in the second game. The split moves Findlay to 18-17 on the season and 8-5 in GLIAC play.
Game 1 W 7-1 Box Score
Findlay used a five run sixth inning and stellar pitching to come away with a 7-1 victory in the first game.
Both teams scored a run in the second inning for an early 1-1 tie. Junior Meredith Shepherd connected on a single to score junior Madison Arnold, who singled in the inning. The Eagles run came on a RBI bunt in the bottom of the inning.
The five run outburst came off seven hits in the sixth inning. Junior Destinie Keeton and senior Lauren Trumpler led off with a double and single, respectively. Keeton scored as an Oiler runner was caught stealing second. Junior Hayley Apple, Arnold and Shepherd each singled to load the bases. With two outs sophomore Breanna Cleland delivered with a two run double to stretch the Oiler lead. Shepherd crossed the plate on a wild pitch and a fielding error allowed Cleland to score for a 6-1 lead.
The final run of the game for the Oilers came on a RBI single by Shepherd in the seventh inning for a 7-1 final.
The Oilers connected on 12 hits, compared to just five for Ashland. Leading the way at the plate for Findlay was Shepherd (3-for-4 with two RBIs), Arnold (2-for-3 with two runs) and Apple (2-for-3).
Senior Jenna Inman (6-6) pitched an outstanding game for Findlay. She went the distance, giving up one run on just five hits while striking out two with no walks.
Game 2 L 9-3 Box Score
The tables turned in the second game, as Findlay managed just five hits in the contest, compared to 14 for Ashland. The Oilers also committed six errors in the game, while the Eagles had only one miscue.
The Eagles got on the scoreboard first with one run in the top of the first inning, but Findlay tied it at 1-apiece in the bottom of the first on a walk by Arnold to score Keeton. Keeton and Trumpler each had singled in the inning.
Ashland regained the lead in the third inning with three runs and added two more runs in the top of the fifth for a 6-1 lead. Findlay answered in the bottom of the fifth with two runs of their own.
Cleland led off the inning with a walk and senior Jenna Huff singled to put runners on the corners. A groundout by junior Kelley Cejer brought one run home and a fielding error allowed another to cross the plate for a 6-3 deficit.
In the top of the seventh the Eagles extended their lead with three more runs for a 9-3 final score.
Sophomore Hailey Bryan (10-8) picked up the loss in the circle for Findlay. She pitched six innings giving up seven runs, six earned, on 11 hits with two strikeouts. Junior Morgan James pitched the last inning giving up two runs, one earned, on three hits with one strikeout.
At the plate Keeton finished 2-for-4 while Trumpler, Shepherd and Huff each had one hit.
The Oilers will return to action Saturday, April 15 at Ohio Dominican University in Columbus, Ohio for a GLIAC doubleheader. The first game is slated for a 1 p.m. start.