Findlay Opens Conference Play | Sweeps Ursuline
Findlay, Ohio- The University of Findlay softball team began conference play today as they welcomed the Ursuline College Arrows to Marathon Diamonds, March 24. The Oilers dominated from start to finish, sweeping the visitors in the opening game 8-0 before closing the night with a 4-2 win. Findlay improves to 17-6 on the year and 2-0 in Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) play. Meanwhile, Ursuline falls to 0-17 on the season and 0-4 in conference play.
The Oilers opened the series with a quick win, forcing the run rule, defeating the Arrows in just one hour and eighteen minutes. Five of their eight runs came in the first inning. With both freshman Annika Bredel and senior Olivia Carlton on base, freshman Kayla Dykin singled to right field, sending Bredel home and putting the first point on the board for the Oilers. Freshman Alexys Antal and junior Brooke Radermacher sent Carlton and Dykin home to give the home team a quick 3-0 lead. Senior Caroline Turner then took the plate, hitting a single to left field, sending both Antal and Cowan home.
Three more runs in the fourth and fifth made it 8-0 as the Oilers cruised to a dominant win. Kayla Dykin got the win by tossing a complete game and allowing just two hits with one walk. She struck out two.
In the second game of the twin bill saw a contrasting start. The Arrows jumped out to an early lead as they hit an immediate homerun to open the contest. Then two errors by Findlay's infield filled both second and third base for Ursuline. A sacrifice fly gave Ursuline a 2-0 lead in the first inning.
Findlay answered right back as senior Avery Shepherd kicked off the lineup for the Oilers with a homerun of her own. It wasn't until the fifth inning where senior Kaitlynn Briggs sent both Antal and Dykin home with a single to right field. Senior Bailey Bates then hit a sacrifice bunt to put the final run on the board for the Oilers.
The game featured sophomore Emma Jones in the circle. She pitched all seven innings, allowing two runs on four hits. She struck out three.
The Oilers will be back in action Sunday, March 26 as they face the reigning Great Midwest Champions, Ohio Dominican. Findlay will host the Panthers at Marathon Diamonds with first pitch at 1pm.