Oilers Split with Tiffin on the Road
Tiffin, Ohio- The University of Findlay softball team headed down U.S. Route 224 to take on the Tiffin University Dragons for a double header April 11. The Oilers dropped the first game 9-8 before recovering with a 2-1 win in the second. The split gives Findlay a 24-9 record on the season with a 9-3 mark in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC). Meanwhile, the Dragons are now 15-20 overall and 7-7 in league play.
Game one began in favor for the Orange and Black as the Oilers took an early 4-0 lead through three innings. However, the Dragons scored five unanswered to take a 5-4 lead heading into the sixth inning.
The Oilers were able to tie the contest after senior Kaitlynn Briggs hit a single, sending freshman Annika Bredel home. But once again the Dragons responded, scoring three runs of their own to round out the sixth inning.
Findlay, down three, fought back in the top of the seventh. Senior Avery Shepherd, the lead off hitter for the Oilers, opened the inning with a double. Freshman Alexys Antal then reached first after an error on the Dragon's second baseman- sending Shepherd home and putting the Oilers down two. Another error by the Dragons allowed senior Olivia Carlton to reach first before freshman Jenna Poluson replaced her on base. Sophomore Brooke Radermacher then grounded out, advancing both runners. It was senior Caroline Turner who hit a single, sending both Poulson and Antal home, tying the game.
The Oilers then recorded back-to-back outs to begin the bottom of the seventh inning. But a walk followed by two singles gave the Dragons the walk-off win.
Starting in the circle for Findlay was freshman Kayla Dykin. She pitched five innings, giving up five runs on eight hits. Taking the loss was freshman Kora Navarro who pitched just over one inning. She gave up one run on two hits- the single run being the walk-off in the final inning.
In the night cap, Findlay was able to get on the board first. In the top of the fourth, the Oilers would score their two lone runs of the contest.
The inning started as Radermacher hit a double up the right side. Bredel then singled- advancing Radermacher to third. Bredel proceeded to steal second before Turner hit a sacrifice fly to send Radermacher home and Bredel to third. With two outs, Briggs hit a single down the left side to send Bredel home and put the Oilers ahead 2-0.
The Dragons would score one run in the bottom of the fifth but the Oilers defense would hold strong as the Orange and Black would take the low scoring win.
Sophomore Emma Jones picked up the win in the circle, improving her record to 12-1. She recorded one run on three hits. She struck out seven, walking just two.
The Oilers will be back in action Saturday, April 15 as they travel south to take on the Trojans of Trevecca Nazarene.