Findlay Offense Slams Ferris State | Scores 31 Runs in Double Header
Findlay, Ohio – After offensive struggles hurt the Oilers on Sunday, the University of Findlay softball team exploded for 31 runs in a doubleheader against Ferris State University on Monday, March 21, winning both games of the twin bill. The Oilers, which lead the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) with a team batting average of .320, opened with a 12-4 run-rule of the Bulldogs in the opener and followed that up with a 19-7 run-rule in the nightcap. With the wins, the Oilers improve to 14-8 on the season while Ferris St. falls to 9-12.
Findlay's 31 runs in the double header are the most scored in a day since the Oilers scored 32 against Northwood on April 14, 2013. That day Findlay defeated the Timberwolves 15-8 and 17-6.
The Oilers 19 runs in Game 2 are the most runs in a game since a 25-7 victory over Concordia Ann Arbor on March 22, 2013.
While the day ended with a dominating showing by the Orange and Black, it was the Bulldogs who looked to be in control early on as they scored three runs in the top of the first inning and one more in the third to take a 4-0 advantage through three innings of play.
Entering the bottom of the fifth inning, the Oilers had four hits but had yet to put a run on the board. With one swing of the bat, that all changed. Sophomore Avery Shepherd, who has been on a tear as of late, homered deep over the wall in right center to make the score 4-1 in favor of the Bulldogs. After a single by senior Megan Demler, a walk to senior Lexie Hillings, and a wild pitch, Findlay had runners on second and third. Senior Devyn Zuro grounded out to scored a run and three batters later, freshman standout Brooke Radermacher ripped a ball into the right center gap for a triple, picking up two RBI and tying the game at 4-4.
Ferris State got three hits in the top of the sixth but left all three runners stranded.
The bottom of the sixth began an offensive onslaught that changed the course of the doubleheader.
A strikeout started the inning but three consecutive walks loaded the bases. Lexie Hilling and Devyn Zuro both walked with the bases loaded to pick up RBIs and put Findlay ahead 6-4. Junior Bailey Bates was then hit by a pitch to send another run home giving the Oilers six consecutive batters reaching base without putting a ball in play. Senior Caroline Turner singled home a run and Radermacher singled to plate two more runs. Olivia Carlton, who struck out to start the inning, doubled to left to make the scored 11-4. Freshman Rachel Mease was batting with runners on first and third with one out and hit a ground ball to third base. Instead of throwing home to prevent the run, Ferris State's third baseman fired over to first, recording the out. Radermacher raced home, however, giving the Oilers a 12-4 advantage and ending the game in a walk-off, run-rule victory. In that wild inning, Findlay scored eight runs on just three hits.
Demler, who came into the game in the third inning, picked up the win in the circle to improve to 5-2 this season. She threw 2.2 innings and recorded four strikeouts without allowing a hit.
Despite a 30-minute break in between contests, the Oilers bats managed to get even hotter. After shutting the Bulldogs out in the first inning, Findlay would send 14 batters to the plate in the bottom half to take control of the game.
Avery Shepherd reached on an error to start the inning and came around to score on a hit by Demler. Lexie Hilling then homered to left field, her fourth of the year, to put the Oilers ahead 3-0. A dropped fly ball by the Bulldogs' leftfielder put Caroline Turner on base and a single by Zuro advanced Turner to third. Radermacher, who would finish the day with four hits, singled to score Turner. Kyla Snow then doubled to center for a pair of RBI and, after a pitching change, Kaitlyn Briggs singled. A sac fly by Savannah Harvey scored the final run of the inning for Findlay who tallied seven runs on seven hits in the first.
That inning would not see the most runs scored, however.
After Ferris answered with three runs in the third, the Oilers got back on the attack.
Three walks opened the bottom of the second and a fielder's choice scored the first run of the inning. Avery Shepherd then belted a ball over the wall in left center, a grand slam that put Findlay ahead 12-3. Six batters later, with the bases again loaded, Radermacher hit one over the fence in the deepest part of the field, straight away center, for a second grand slam in the inning, giving Findlay a 17-3 advantage. Following a pitching change, it was Kyla Snow's turn. Snow joined the party, launching a ball over the wall in left for her second home run of the season. By inning's end, the Oilers scored 11 runs on six hits, three of which were home runs. It was the first time in program history that Findlay has hit two grand slams in the same inning.
Four runs by the Bulldogs in the third made the score 18-7 and Findlay came back with a single run in the fourth to make the score 19-7.
Pitcher Lexie Hilling tossed the final 2.1 innings to end the game in five innings due to run-rule. She earned the win due to effective relief as she allowed just one hit and did not give up a run while striking out three.
Findlay's offense on Monday had a host of contributors, none of which had a day like freshman Brooke Radermacher. The Howard, Ohio native put together a career day at the plate, picking up four hits in six at-bats. She had two singles, a triple, and a home run while leading the Oilers with nine RBI on the day. She also scored four runs and had a stolen base.
Not to be outdone was Avery Shepherd who also had four hits including two home runs, one of which was a grand slam, five RBI, and four runs scored. Hilling went 3-for-4 on the day with a home run, three RBI, and three runs scored. She also walked three times.
Demler and Caroline Turner each had three hits, as well. Demler scored three runs while Turner scored four.
Carlton, Snow, and Briggs all had two hits on the day for Findlay.
Findlay looks to keep the offensive onslaught rolling as they begin G-MAC play on Saturday and Sunday, March 26-27 with games against Cedarville (26th) and Ohio Dominican (27th).