Oilers Sweep G-MAC Matchup with Panthers
Owensboro, KY – The University of Findlay softball team swept a double header in Great Midwest Athletic Conference play against the Kentucky Wesleyan College Panthers on Friday, March 23. The Oilers improve to 11-12 overall on the season and 2-0 in GMAC play.
Game 1 | W 10 – 2 (Box Score)
The first game of the double header was quiet for the first three and a half innings, until Kentucky Wesleyan broke the 0 – 0 deadlock with a two-run double to center field.
Facing the 2-0 deficit, the Oilers responded in a big way by putting up nine runs in the top of the fifth inning.
To get Findlay's scoring going, Dylan Wiley ripped a single that scored Destinee Keeton.
Meredith Shepherd stepped to the plate one batter later and delivered a single of her own that scored Kelley Cejer from third.
One batter later Allison Brunner reached first based on a fielder's choice and scored Wiley from third base.
Amanda Delmonte continued the rally by smacking a two-run homerun over the left field fence, giving Findlay the 5-2 lead.
After a double from Salwa Al-Hajabed and a Rebecca Harvey walk, Destinie Keeton brought pinch runner Emily Barr and Rebecca Harvey home on a two-out double.
With Keeton still on base, senior Kelley Cejer sent another ball over the fence on a homerun to left center field.
After holding the Panthers in the bottom of the fifth, the Oilers scored their 10th and final run. This run was scored after Harvey was hit-by-pitch with the bases loaded.
Hailey Bryan got the start and the victory on the mound for Findlay, completing five innings while allowing only two runs (both earned), four hits, and recording five strikeouts.
Caragyn Yanek entered the game in the sixth inning and recorded a strikeout, fly out, and ground out in succession to end the game.
Game 2 | W 8 – 0 (Box Score)
The Oilers began the second game with their bats rolling, scoring two runs in the top of the second and six in the top of the third.
Scoring began for Findlay when Brooke Otto delivered a ground ball to second base that scored Rebecca Harvey on a fielder's choice.
Two at-bats later Madison Arnold stole second base and forced an error by the Kentucky Wesleyan shortstop, scoring Kelley Cejer from third.
In the third inning the Oilers had a flurry of singles from Cejer, Destinie Keeton, and Amanda Delmonte to aid their six run scoring rally that left them with an 8-0 lead.
Kentucky Wesleyan was able to score one run in the fifth and two more in the bottom of the sixth, but it would not be enough.
The Oilers added one more insurance run in the top of the seventh by way of a single from Otto, bringing the score to a 9-3 final.
Getting the win on the rubber for Findlay was Megan Fisher, who went 5.1 innings with two strikeouts, three walks, four hits, and allowing three runs (two earned).
Devyn Zuro came into the game in the sixth inning and pitched the remained of the contest. On 1.2 innings pitched, Zuro allowed zero runs and one hit while recording two strikeouts.
The Oilers will be back on the field Tuesday, March 27 when they travel for another GMAC double header, this time against the Lake Erie Storm. First pitch is set for 3:00 PM.