Oilers Suffer Two Losses in G-MAC Tournament | Hope for At-Large Regional Selection

Findlay vs Trevecca Nazarene (L 5-1)

Findlay vs Ohio Dominican (L 3-2)

Findlay, Ohio – It has been a dream season thus far for the University of Findlay softball team, but that season may have come to an end on Saturday, May 7 in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) Tournament. After winning two games on Thursday's opening day of the event, downpouring rain washed out Friday's scheduled contests and pushed the tournament back a day. Opening the day in a winner's bracket final where a win would put the Oilers in the G-MAC Championship, Findlay lost to Trevecca Nazarene, sending the Trojans to the conference finals and sending the Oilers into the consolation bracket.

Findlay was then matched up with Ohio Dominican, who, after losing in their opening game, had battled through the consolation bracket and were playing their third game of the day. The Oilers had a late lead, but as it had just a week ago in the regular-season championship game against Hillsdale, errors hurt the Orange and Black. ODU would go on to win 4-3, eliminating Findlay from the tournament.

At 36-14, the Oilers, which were ranked seventh in the last regional poll, are still hoping for the season to continue. For that to happen, Ohio Dominica, ranked sixth in the poll, would likely have to win the conference championship, earning the league's automatic qualifier. Should Trevecca Nazarene win, that likely bumps Findlay out since the Trojans are not in the top ten of the current poll.

In the opener, Trevecca put the pressure on early, scoring single runs in the first, second, and third innings to take a 3-0 lead.

The sixth inning saw the Trojans add to their lead after a leadoff single and a home run put the team from Nashville ahead 5-0.

Findlay scored a single run in the seventh on an RBI single by freshman Brooke Radermacher, but it was not nearly enough as the host school was sent into an elimination game against ODU.

Megan Demler took the loss and fell to 17-6 on the year. She allowed seven hits and four runs, three earned, while walking four and striking out three.

In the second game, it was Findlay who took an early lead. The first inning began with a single by sophomore Avery Shepherd and, after a fielder's choice, senior Lexie Hilling ripped a double to right field, giving Findlay a 1-0 lead.

ODU answered with a run of their own in the bottom of the inning.

Single runs in the second and third inning gave the Oilers a 3-2 advantage through three innings of play, but the game was far from over.

The fourth and fifth innings saw both teams combine for just one hit, a single by Shepherd in the fifth.

The bottom of the sixth began with back-to-back strikeouts of Panthers' hitters and, just four outs away from victory, the Oilers looked like they would cruise to tomorrow's finale. Then things went sideways.

A walk and hit-by-pitch put two runners on base and an infield single loaded the bases. Starter Lexie Hilling then coaxed the ground ball she needed, but an error allowed two runs to score, putting Ohio Dominican ahead 4-3.

ODU then sent their G-MAC Pitcher of the Year, Sydney Long into the game and she slammed the door to pick up the save and send the Panthers into Sunday's championship.

Avery Shepherd had four hits on the day while Caroline Turner had two hits, both triples in the opener against Trevecca Nazarene.

Findlay will wait until Monday's selection show to find out if they will be included in the NCAA Division II postseason. Regardless of the determination made on Monday, nothing can take away from what the 2022 Oilers softball team has accomplished, becoming the winningest team in the history of the program.