Oilers Drop Both to Ashland
Findlay, OH – The University of Findlay softball team dropped a pair of games to the Ashland University Eagles on Sunday, March 18. The two losses put the Oilers at 9-14 overall for the year.
Game 1 | 5-3 (Box Score)
Findlay held the lead for most of the first game, scoring two runs in the first and another in the fourth.
With two outs in the first inning, Amanda Delmonte drew a walk and advanced to third during the next at-bat thanks to a double from Salwa Al-Hajabed.
Destinie Keeton stepped up next and blasted a two RBI double to the right center field fence, giving the Oilers the early lead.
Ashland clawed back into the game though, scoring runs in top of the third and fourth innings to even the scoreboard.
In the bottom of the fourth, the Oilers reclaimed the lead on a run scored by Dylan Wiley. The run scored when Meredith Shepherd hit a ground ball to the third basemen, who then committed a throwing error.
The 3-2 lead did not last for Findlay. Ashland scored three runs in the top of the sixth after a crucial fielding error failed to record the third out. With bases loaded, an Eagle hitter sent a screaming line drive passed the third basemen that secured the eventual 5-3 decision.
Hailey Bryan started on the mound for the Oilers and received the loss, making her pitching record 5-4 on the year. Bryan pitched for 5.1 innings, allowing three runs (two earned) and recording a season high nine strikeouts.
Caragyn Yanek entered the game in the sixth inning and finished the remainder of the contest. Yanek allowed only two hits and two runs (both unearned) while recording two strikeouts.
Game 2 | 2-0 (Box Score)
Lack of offense was the story of game two for the Oilers, only able to produce three hits as a team during the game.
Ashland scored their first run in the second inning on a bases loaded single. The Oilers were able to limit the damage and escape the inning without allowing another run.
The Eagles got their second and final run in the fourth on a single up the middle.
Salwa Al-Hajabed had two of Findlay's three hits, with Madison Arnold picking up the other.
Megan Fisher took the loss on the bump, getting the start and lasting 3.1 innings. Fisher allowed six hits, two runs (both earned), recorded two strikeouts, and allowed one walk.
Molly Crosby entered the game in the fourth inning and pitched for two innings, allowing zero runs and only three hits.
Devyn Zuro finished the game on the mound, allowing zero runs, zero hits, and zero walks.
The Oilers are back in action on Saturday, March 24th, when they travel to Kentucky Wesleyan University for a double-header. These games open Great Midwest Athletic Conference play for the Oilers and first pitch is set for 1:00 PM.