Oilers Streak Ends Against Saginaw Valley St.
Findlay, Ohio – The University of Findlay softball team, which had rattled off four consecutive wins, ran into a tough test on Saturday, March 20 as they faced former Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) foe, Saginaw Valley State. The Cardinals won both games of the doubleheader, the first by a score of 9-1 in six innings and the second by a score of 3-0. With the two losses, the Oilers fall to 9-8 on the season while SVSU improves to 11-2. The two wins make SVSU 3-0 this season against the Oilers as the teams did meet back on February 20 in Rosemont, Illinois in The Dome.
The Oilers fell behind early in the opener as SVSU scored five runs in the first three innings to take a 5-0 lead.
In the bottom of the third, Findlay got a leadoff single by senior Dylan Wiley and a bunt single by junior Jordyn Poulson. A sac bunt advanced both runners and sent senior Megan Fisher to the plate. Fisher hit a screaming line drive back up the middle that was snagged by the Cardinals' pitcher who then attempted to double-off Wiley at third. The throw was wide of the bag and went into foul territory allowing Wiley to scoot home and pull the Oilers within four at 5-1.
That run would be the only one of the day for Findlay, but the Oilers did have chances.
Findlay left the bases loaded in the fourth and fifth innings and failed to take advantage of those situations while the Cardinals plated four more runs to extend their lead to 9-1 through six innings, ending the game early by run rule.
Senior Megan Fisher took the loss and fell to 3-4 on the year. She started and threw 2.2 innings, allowing five runs, four earned, on four hits, and four walks. She struck out one.
Junior Caroline Turner had a pair of hits to lead the offense for Findlay which had just one run on six hits in the game.
SVSU's Blaisia Moyer had a stellar day at the plate as she hit a pair of home runs and picked up five RBI in the contest.
In the nightcap, the Oilers again had chances as they left at least one runner on in every inning of the contest but were unable to score.
The Cardinals scored single runs in the third, fourth, and fifth innings to take a 3-0 which was enough to secure the win.
Senior Caragyn Yanek took her first loss of the year after pitching well for Findlay. She threw a complete game and allowed three runs on six hits. She struck out four and did not walk a batter.
Junior Kyla Snow and Wiley each had a pair of hits in the game including a double. Turner, senior Devyn Zuro, and junior Gloria Corona all had hits in the contest.
The Oilers are off until next Saturday, March 27 when they open up Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) play at The Cube against Cedarville. Those games will begin at noon.