Findlay Picks Up Two More Wins
Winter Haven, Fla. – The University of Findlay softball team took on University of the Sciences and University of Mary on Friday, March 4 at The Softball Tournament in Winter Haven, Fla. The Oilers picked up a pair of wins, defeating USciences, which plays in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) 9-1 in six innings to open the day and later earning a 7-6 victory over UMary, which plays in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC).
Game 1 vs USciences (Box Score)
Findlay took the lead in the bottom of the first inning when junior Bailey Bates reached on an error with one out and later stole home. Another run in the bottom of the second came on a solo shot by Devyn Zuro and three more came in the third thanks to an error and a two RBI single by senior Caroline Turner.
The game was blown open in the bottom of the fifth when senior Lexie Hilling and Zuro singled to put two runners on and, with two outs, junior Olivia Carlton went deep, a three-run blast that put Findlay ahead 8-1.
Another run scored in the bottom of the sixth on a bases loaded hit-by-pitch to Zuro, giving the Oilers an eight-run lead and a run rule walk-off.
Findlay finished the morning contest with nine runs on ten hits and no errors while USciences had one run on three hits and made two errors.
Hilling led the Oilers with three hits in four at-bats, scoring a pair of runs. Devyn Zuro also had a big game, going 2-for-3 with a home run, three runs scored, and two RBI.
Avery Shepherd went 2-for-4 in the game, both singles, while Caroline Turner had one hit and two RBI. Carlton was 1-for-3 with her lone hit being the three-run home run in the fifth.
Megan Demler got the win for Findlay with another solid performance, She tossed six innings and allowed just one run on three hits. She walked six and struck out nine of the 26 batters she faced.
The Oilers second contest did not go quite as smoothly. Findlay did take the lead in the first inning after Demler singled with one out and stole second and was driven in on a double to left field by Devyn Zuro, putting Findlay ahead 1-0.
UMary answered with a run in the bottom of the first but then took command of the game in the second, scoring five runs to take a 6-1 lead through two innings of play. In that second inning, the Marauders scored five runs on seven hits.
Findlay's comeback began in the fifth with a two-run home run by Demler, making the score 6-3. Demler again contributed in the sixth with an RBI single to pull the Oilers within two. The next batter, Lexie Hilling, singled to send Makala Cowan home and then Devyn Zuro singled, scored two and giving Findlay a 7-6 lead.
UMary tried to mount a rally in the sixth and seventh innings. In the sixth, the Marauders led off with two hits, but a flyout, pop up, and strike out ended the threat with two runners on base. Again in the seventh UMary was able to get two runners on, by no damage was done as Findlay sealed the victory, their second of the day.
Demler was locked in at the plate, going 3-for-4 with two singles, a home run, three RBI and three runs scored. Zuro also had three hits, including a double, and three RBI in the game.
Hilling went 2-for-4 with an RBI and Avery Shepherd had a double and a run scored.
Findlay finished the game with seven runs on 11 hits and made one error while UMary had six runs on 14 hits and one error.
McKenzie Anderson got the start for Findlay and went 1.2 innings allowing six runs on nine hits.
Freshman Emma Jones picked up the win in relief, throwing 5.1 innings. She did not allow a run and had five hits struck out four.
The Oilers wrap up their spring trip on Saturday, March 5 with games against Bloomfield College and the University of Sioux Falls.