Findlay Walks Off in Game 2 to Sweep Lake Erie
Great Midwest Digital Network Video Replay (Produced by PulseTV)
Quote from Head Coach Danielle Lowe
The team stayed very positive the whole day even though we had some miscues on the field. They continued to overcome. Good teams find a way to win even when the ball isn't rolling their way.
Findlay, Ohio- The University of Findlay softball team picked up two Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) wins on Friday, April 7, defeating the Lake Erie Storm by a score of 5-4 and 2-1 in a doubleheader. With the two wins, the Oilers improve to 21-8 on the season with a 6-2 record in conference play. The Storm fall to 6-22 overall with a 1-11 record in the G-MAC with the two losses.
The Oilers opened game one, putting two quick runs on the board. In the bottom of the first, senior Avery Shepherd doubled to center field, eventually being sent home by senior Makayla Cowan who singled down the right field line. Senior Olivia Carlton, who walked, was sent home as Cowan was caught stealing second base.
Lake Erie scored a single run in the top of the second inning, to keep the score close at 2-1.
Findlay then added another run to the board after senior Caroline Turner walked. With a single from senior Bailey Bates, Turner advanced to second. Shepherd then singled to center field to send Turner home.
Once again, the Storm wouldn't go away easy as they scored another run in the top of the third to stay within one at 3-2.
In the bottom of the third, sophomore Rachel Mease singled to shortstop. Lake Erie's pitcher then walked both Turner and freshman Kayla Dykin. With the bases loaded, sophomore Brooke Radermacher singled to shortstop to send Mease home. With two outs, Shepherd walked, scoring Turner.
With the score at 5-2, the Storm scored another run in the fourth to bring the game just a bit closer. In a last ditch effort, Lake Erie scored once more in the top of the sixth but it wasn't enough to catch the Oilers.
The Oilers finished the opener with four runs on eight hits. Avery Shepherd and freshman Annika Bredel both recorded doubles. Shepherd had a pair of RBIs while Makayla Cowan and Brooke Radermacher both recorded one of their own.
Kayla Dykin picked up the win in the circle, improving to 7-3 on the year as she pitched four innings for the Orange and Black. She allowed three runs on two hits- with two errors. Dykin recorded two strikeouts. Fellow freshman Alexys Antal relieved Dykin, picking up the save. She pitched three innings, giving up one run on three hits. She also struck out two.
The nightcap was low scoring, with both teams struggling to put runs on the board.
Findlay headed into the seventh inning down by one. Caroline Turner started the Oilers off, hitting a single to right center. Jenna Poulson then pinch ran for Turner. Annika Bredel then singled with an impressive bunt. After an error by the Storm's outfielder, Brooke Radermacher reached first to load the bases. Senior Kaitlynn Briggs hit a sacrifice fly to send Poulson home and tie the game. Freshman Rhyli Pope was then intentionally walked, loading the bases once again for the Oilers. Avery Shepherd then reached first on a fielder's choice, sending the winning run home.
Sophomore Emma Jones picked up the win for Findlay, improving to 11-1 on the year. She recorded one run on three hits in the seven innings. She struck out three, walking none.
The Oilers will be back in action Saturday, April 8, as they host Kentucky Wesleyan at Marathon Diamonds staring at 1pm.