Findlay Wins Two to End Florida Trip
Clermont, Fla. - The University of Findlay softball team wrapped up their trip south with two wins on Saturday, March 4, defeating both Sioux Falls and West Virginia Wesleyan. With the two victories, the Oilers end the Florida swing with a 10-2 record on the trip, improving their overall record to 13-4.
In the morning contest, the Oilers and Cougars were locked in a tight game, trailing by one heading into the bottom of the third. Findlay's half of the inning got going with a one-out single and stolen base by Jenna Poulson. A single by Avery Shepherd put runners on the corners and, on a steal attempt by Shepherd, Poulson came in to score thanks to an overthrow by the Cougars catcher.
Another run in the third came on a double to left-center by Olivia Carlton, sending Shepherd home and putting the Oilers on top 2-1.
USF tied the game in the sixth on a bases loaded hit-by-pitc, but in the bottom half of that same inning, Findlay answered. In that frame, Carlton led off with a single and was pinch run for by Cassie Warner. A sacrifice bunt moved Warner to second and, after a walk, two runs came in on a single by Rachel Mease, thanks to a pair of errors by the Cougars' defense.
Coming out of the bullpun, Kayla Dykin got the win as she tossed 1.2 innings in relief, allowing just one hit. Kora Navarro was the starter and threw well, lasting 5.1 innings and giving up just two runs on five hits including three walks and four strikeouts.
The second game of the day went even better for Findlay, starting with a leadoff triple in the top of the first by Shepherd, who now has nine multi-hit games this season. Shepherd scored on a single by Carlton.
Two innings later, in the top of the third, Shepherd again came in to score on a hit by Carlton, this time an RBI double to left center.
Three more runs scored in the fourth, two of which scored on a single by Makayla Cowan.
Leading 6-2 in the sixth, Lainey Bingham ripped a double to left field, scoring two more runs and making the score 8-2.
West Virginia Wesleyan did manage to load the bases with one out in the bottom of the seventh, but two quick outs ended the game in favor of the Oilers.
Emma Jones improved to 6-1 on the year, tossing a complete game. She scattered seven hits and allowed just two runs, neither earned. She did not walk a batter and struck out five.
Olivia Carlton finished the day with five hits in six at-bats, including two doubles. She also had three RBI. Shepherd, who went 3-for-3 in the second game, finished with four hits and five runs scored.
Findlay is back on the diamond next Sunday, March 12 with a double header against University of Charleston (WV).
