Oilers Finish Regular Season with Split
Columbus, OH – The University of Findlay softball team split a conference double-header with Ohio Dominican University in their last day of regular season play on Sunday, April 29. The games move the Oilers to 27-20, with their 17-5 record in the G-MAC putting them in second in the standings for the regular season. The Panthers finish with a 32-19 (18-6) record.
Game 1 | W 7 – 1 (Box Score)
The Oilers managed to get on the board early in this one, scoring in the top of the first to claim the 1-0 lead.
The inning began with a leadoff single to right field from senior Meredith Shepherd.
Bases were loaded thanks to two consecutive walks, and an RBI ground ball from Evyn Kachenmeister allowed Findlay to score the first run of the game.
After the Panthers tied the game in the bottom of the third, the Oilers captured the lead again in the fourth on an RBI single from freshman Brooke Otto.
A huge fifth inning from the Oiler offense allowed for insurance runs, with Findlay scoring five runs to bring the score to the eventual 7-1 final.
Scoring was highlighted by a two RBI single from Otto, a solo homerun from Shepherd, and an RBI single from Madison Arnold.
Getting the victory on the mound for Findlay was Hailey Bryan, who in her seven innings allowed three hits, one run (earned), one walk, and struck out six Oiler hitters. Bryan finished the season with a 14-5 pitching record.
Game 2 | L 3 – 5 (Box Score)
The second game of the double-header was a hard-fought contest, with the Panthers coming out on top to force the split.
Ohio Dominican took the lead in the second inning on a two RBI double and added another run in the third on another RBI double.
The Oilers answered in the top of the fourth by scoring three runs of their own to tie the game.
Meredith Shepherd started the inning off with a single up the middle and advanced to second during the next at-bat on a wild pitch.
Amanda Delmonte was walked two batters later and was replaced on the bases with pinch runner Emily Barr.
Evyn Kachenmeister scored Shepherd on a double to the right center field gap and was later replaced at second with pinch runner Montana Walker.
Barr and Walker scored during the next at-bat, when Destinie Keeton delivered a single down the left field line.
The Panthers reclaimed the lead in the bottom of the fifth, scoring two runs on sacrifice flies that brought the score to the final 5-3 in favor of Ohio Dominican.
Caragyn Yanek got the start for Findlay, allowing six hits, five runs (four earned) and striking out three in her four innings pitched. Yanek finished the year with a 4-6 record in the circle.
Molly Crosby entered the game in the fifth, allowing only one hit and giving up zero runs while recording two strikeouts.
The Oilers will continue play on Thursday, May 3 in their first ever participation in the G-MAC Tournament Opponent and time is TBA.