Oilers Sweep in Double Header Play
Clermont, FL – The University of Findlay softball team swept their double header games on Saturday, March 10. In the first game, the Oilers defeated the Bridgport Purple Knights in a 7-1 final and then went on to beat the Quincy University Hawks by a score of 3-2.
Game 1 | W 7-1
The Oilers scored one run in the top of the first inning. The inning was led off with a walk from Dylan Wiley, which was followed up with another walk from Meredith Shepherd.
Senior Amanda Delmonte delivered a single to left field that scored Wiley and gave the Oilers the early 1-0 lead.
The Purple Knights responded in the bottom of the inning, scoring a run of their own on a fielder's choice.
Findlay recovered the lead immediately, thanks to a ball put in play by Wiley that was mishandled by the Bridgeport third baseman and scored Lauren Yacks. Yacks reached base earlier in the inning by way of a walk.
In the top of the fourth, freshman Brooke Otto led off the inning with a single, and later advanced to second on a fielder's choice from the bat of Yacks.
Shepherd approached the plate two batters later and ripped a double to right center field that scored Otto and brought the Oiler lead to 3-1.
The Oilers remained in control of the game, scoring another run in the fifth on a Kelley Cejer RBI scoring Rebecca Harvey.
Findlay scored three insurance runs in the top of the seventh thanks to a Madison Arnold double and a Destinee Keeton pinch-hit triple.
Hailey Bryan received the victory on the mound for the Oilers, pitching all seven innings while giving up one run and recording three strikeouts.
Game 2 | 3-2
Findlay would have to fight back in the second game, going down 1-0 in the second inning after giving up two consecutive singles and a sacrifice fly.
The Oilers answered in the bottom of the third, when Meredith Shepherd scored after a leadoff double. Shepherd crossed the plate on a fielder's choice and brought the game to an even 1-1.
In the bottom of the fourth, Kelley Cejer was scored on a sacrifice fly to center field from the bat of Brooke Otto. Cejer reached base on a single earlier in the inning.
The Hawks would not go away without a fight, scoring again in the top of the fifth on a double to center field to tie the game.
The Oilers delivered the final blow in the bottom of the fifth. Alison Brunner hit a leadoff triple to begin the inning, and was scored on a double from Amanda Delmonte in the next at-bat. This brought the score to the eventual 3-2 final.
Starting for the Oilers on the mound was Caragyn Yanek, who went 4 2/3 innings while allowing only one run and recording one strikeout.
Molly Crosby entered the game and received the win, going 1 2/3 innings allowing only one run and one hit.
Megan Fisher finished the game, allowed zero runs and recorded three strike outs during the outing.
Findlay will complete their Florida spring trip tomorrow, March 11 when they take on Kutztown and Illinois-Springfield at 9:00 AM and 11:30 AM games.