Oilers Win Two Against Ohio Valley
Findlay, OH – The University of Findlay softball team hosted and swept a double-header with Ohio Valley University on Saturday, March 31. The two victories bring the Oilers to 15-14 overall, with a perfect 6-0 record in Great Midwest Athletic Conference Play.
Game 1 | W 6 – 2 (Box Score)
The Oilers went down early in game one, allowed two runs scored by the Fighting Scots in the first inning by way of a double and fielder's choice from the Ohio Valley offense.
Facing a 2-0 deficit in the bottom of the first, Findlay responded by scoring two runs of their own.
After a leadoff walk from Meredith Shepherd, Allison Brunner reached first on a fielding error by the pitcher. In the next at-bat, Shepherd and Brunner advanced on a wild pitch that put them in scoring position.
Amanda Delmonte picked up an RBI on a fielder's choice that scored Shepherd.
During the next at-bat, Salwa Al-Hajabed ripped a single that scored Brunner and tied the game at 2-2.
After holding the Fighting Scots in the top of the second, the Oilers took the lead in the bottom of the inning thanks to a double from senior Madison Arnold. Scoring the run on the double was freshman Dylan Wiley.
With a one run lead in the bottom of the third, Findlay had two huge homeruns that boosted them to the eventual 6-2 final.
Rebecca Harvey led off the inning with a solo homerun over the left field fence.
Three batters later, Arnold sent a two-run homer over the center field wall.
Hailey Bryan received the victory on the mound for the Oilers, going the full seven innings and allowing two runs (both earned). Bryan recorded eight strikeouts and only one walk in her outing.
Game 2 | W 10 – 2 (Box Score)
Facing a similar situation to game one, the Oilers entered the bottom of the first inning behind 2-0 to Ohio Valley.
The Oiler bats stayed hot during this one, responding immediately by putting up four runs in the first.
Findlay received their first run of the game on an Allison Brunner double to left center field that scored Meredith Shepherd.
With two runners on base, Rebecca Harvey smacked her second homerun of the day to centerfield. Scoring runs on the homer were Amanda Delmonte and Brunner.
The offensive flurry continued in the second inning, with Findlay adding three more runs to their lead. Salwa Al-Hajabed, Harvey, and Madison Arnold all had RBI singles during the inning.
Arnold continued her big day in the fifth by ripping a leadoff triple to right center and scoring on her own after an errant throw from the outfield, putting the score at 8-2.
In the bottom of the sixth, with runners in scoring position, Arnold delivered a two RBI double to the left centerfield fence to reach the mercy rule and end the game.
Freshman Caragyn Yanek received the victory on the rubber, pitching three innings while allowing two runs (one earned) and striking out two batters.
Megan Fisher entered the game in the four inning and finished the contest, allowing zero runs, zero hits, and recording three strikeouts.
Leading the offense for the Oilers was Arnold, who went 6-7 on the day with a homerun, a triple, two doubles, two singles, and 6 RBIs.
Harvey also led Findlay's offense with two homeruns and five RBIs on the day.
The Oilers will continue play Monday, April 2 when they travel to Lourdes for a non-conference double-header. First pitch is set for 4:000 PM.