Oilers Split in Tough Double Header

Clermont, FL – The University of Findlay softball team split in double-header play on Thursday, March 8. The Oilers were victorious in their first game against the University of Southern Indiana in a 4-3 final, and dropped the second game 8-6 to Wayne State College (Nebraska).

Game 1 | W 4 – 3 (Box Score)

The Oilers defeated the #14 nationally ranked University of Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles in the first game in a 4-3 final.

Findlay wasted no time putting numbers on the board, scoring one run in the top of the first inning. After a leadoff strikeout, Allison Brunner reached base on a hit by pitch. Brunner later advanced to second on a Rebecca Harvey single.

With two outs, senior Meredith Shepherd delivered a single to right field to score Brunner and give the Oilers the early 1-0 lead.

The Screaming Eagles took the lead in the bottom of the second inning on a two-run double down the left field line.

The score remained unchanged at 2-1 in favor of USI until the top of the seventh when the Oiler offense took control.

The inning was led off by a Madison Arnold walk, which was followed up by a Lauren Yacks hit by pitch. Yacks entered the game as a pinch hitter.

With one out, Dylan Wiley advanced the runners to third and second on a fielder's choice ground ball. Allison Brunner then reached first base on a hit by pitch, loading the bases for senior Amanda Delmonte.

Delmonte produced in a big way, ripping a single to left field that scored Arnold and Emily Barr. Barr had entered the game as a pinch runner for Yacks earlier in the inning.

The Oilers weren't finished yet. Still with two outs in the inning, Rebecca Harvey also singled through the left side of the infield to score Brunner. Findlay entered the bottom of the final inning up 4-2.

After giving up a leadoff triple, Hailey Bryan followed up with a strikeout and two ground balls to secure the Findlay victory.

Shepherd and Harvey had two hits each during the contest, and Brunner scored two runs.

Bryan pitched all seven innings of the game, allowed six hits and three runs (all earned), while recording four strikeouts.

Game 2 | L 8 – 6 (Box Score)

The Oilers had to fight back during the second game after they gave up three runs in the top of the third inning and another in the top of the fourth to enter the bottom of the inning facing a 4-0 deficit.

After a leadoff walk from Amanda Delmonte, Sadie Gearhart entered the game as a pinch runner for Delmonte.

After a popout and strikeout, senior Madison Arnold picked up a walk to put runners on first and second.

Sophomore Evyn Kachenmeister stepped to the plate and smashed a double to right field that scored Arnold and Gearhart, bringing the score to 4-2 with Wayne State still holding the lead.

Delmonte walked again to lead off the bottom of the sixth inning. With two outs, Arnold hit a two-run homerun over the left field wall to move the score to an even 4-4.

At the end of the regulated seven innings, the score remained tied and called for extras to decide the contest. Wayne State responded by tacking on four runs in the top of the eighth by way of a single, a double, and a fielder's choice.

With two outs, bases loaded, and their last chance to even the game, Dylan Wiley reached first base on a fielding error that scored pinch runner Breanna Cleveland and Meredith Shepherd.

This brought the score to the eventual 8-6 final, with the game ending on the next at-bat on a fly out to the outfield.

The starter on the bump for the Oilers was Devyn Zuro. During her 3 1/3 innings Zuro faced 17 batters, allowed four runs (all earned), and recorded two strikeouts.

Entering the game in the fourth inning to pitch for Findlay was Molly Crosby, who went for 1 1/3 innings while allowing zero runs and recording one strikeout.

Finishing the game and receiving the loss on the mound was Caragyn Yanek. She completed 3 1/3 innings, allowed four runs (one earned) and recorded two strikeouts.

The Oilers will continue their play in Clermont on Saturday, March 10 when they take on Bridgeport at 2:00 PM and then face Quincy under the lights at 7:00 PM.