Softball Splits on Final Day in Tennessee
Smyrna, Tenn. – The University of Findlay softball team wrapped up a trip to Tennessee on Sunday, Feb. 20 with a split, defeating Rockhurst by a score of 7-6 in the opener and following that up with an 8-2 loss to Lindenwood in the weekend's finale. The Oilers are headed home after a 2-2 start to the season.
Game 1
The Oilers got things started early in the morning opener against Rockhurst, plating a pair of runs in the top of the first inning. Junior Bailey Bates began the game getting hit by a pitch and advancing to second on a passed ball. After an error put runners on the corners, senior Lyndsey Seamon roped a one-out double down the left field line to pick up a pair of RBI.
Rockhurst answered with a run in the bottom of the first, but Findlay came back with one of their own in the fourth to take a 3-1 lead. That fourth inning run came after junior Olivia Carlton led off with a double to left and was followed by a walk to senior Devyn Zuro and a single by sophomore Kaitlynn Briggs to load the bases with no outs. Freshman Lainey Bingham picked up an RBI on a fielder's choice, but Carlton was thrown out at home on the play. A pair of groundouts ended the inning with just the one run.
Senior Megan Demler picked up an RBI single in the fifth inning and the next batter, Olivia Carlton, also singled to center, plating two more runs and giving Findlay a 6-1 lead. The Oilers added another run when, with two outs, Zuro, who reached on a fielder's choice, scored on a wild pitch, putting the Oilers ahead 7-1.
Rockhurst did not go away quietly. In the bottom of the fifth, the Hawks plated five runs of their own off of freshman pitcher Emma Jones who entered the game that inning and was welcomed with a home run to the first batter she faced. Senior Lexie Hilling took over with two outs and got Findlay out the inning with a one-run lead. Hilling pitched the remainder of the and securing the win for the Oilers.
In the game, Findlay had seven runs on seven hits and did not commit an error while Rockhurst had six runs on nine hits and made three errors.
Megan Demler got the start and threw 3.0 innings, allowing one run on four hits. She struck out five and walked six.
Hilling picked up the win as the more effective of the two relievers. Hilling went 2.1 innings and did not allow a run in 2.1 innings pitched.
Carlton finished with two hits and two RBI in the game.
Game 2
The second game of the morning put the Oilers against the Lindenwood Lions, also out of the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC).
The Lions scored a run in the first, four in the third, and three in the fourth to take a commanding 8-0 lead through four innings of play.
Findlay finally got on the board in the fifth after freshman Brooke Radermacher singled with one out and came around to score on a triple to left by Bailey Bates. Another run in the seventh made the score 8-2, but it was not enough as Lindenwood secured its' fourth win on the young season.
The Oilers finished with two runs on eight hits and made three errors.
Bates, Hilling, and Kyla Snow all had two hits in the game. Bates had a triple and an RBI. Radermacher had one hit, a walk, and two runs scored.
Hilling took the loss as she threw 2.1 innings and allowed five runs, three earned, on five hits. She struck out two and walked two.
Findlay will be back in action on Saturday, Feb. 26 when they begin their spring trip in Florida.