Oilers Split versus Chargers in Final Regular Season Series
Hillsdale, Michigan- The University of Findlay softball team took the road for their final regular season series versus the Hillsdale Chargers for a Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) matchup. The Oilers went on to split the two-game series against the conference leading Chargers. In game one, the Oilers fell 7-2, but the Oilers prevailed in the night cap with a 11-5 victory. With the split the Oilers are now 23-16 (14-8) whereas the Chargers move to 28-14 (16-4)
Game 1
The Chargers came out in the first of two games on the afternoon firing on the offensive end. A solo homerun began the scoring for the Chargers in their first at bats and scored another in the third and two more in the bottom half of the fourth.
With just two hits through the first four innings along with two runners left on base, the Oilers entered the top of the sixth inning down 4-0 and in need of a jump start. Junior Caroline Turner got the inning going with a one-out double. The Oilers' next batter, senior Megan Fisher sparked the Oilers even more when she blasted a two-run homerun to knock in pinch runner Makayla Cowan. Junior Lynsey Seamon made it three straight hits for the Oilers with one out in the inning, but a double play halted the Oilers' surge.
The Chargers would answer to extend their lead to 7-2 after pushing three more runs across the plate in the bottom of the sixth. The last at-bat for the Oilers resulted with a 1,2,3 inning ending the game 7-2 in favor of the Chargers.
On offense, the Oilers combined for six hits as a team. Fisher led the attack going a perfect 3 for 3 at the plate including a homerun and two RBIs. C. Turner, Seamon, and junior Lexie Hilling each recorded a hit in game one.
In the circle, Fisher took the loss in three innings pitched. The senior from Wapakoneta, Ohio gave up four runs on four hits along with three batters walked. Fisher tallied three strikeouts as well. Also seeing action in the circle for the Oilers was sophomore Alyssa Harris and Seamon. Harris tossed 2.1 innings in relief giving up three runs on two hits including one batter walked and one strikeout recorded. Seamon tossed 2/3 of an inning giving up one hit.
Game 2
The Oilers jumped on the Chargers early in game two and never looked back from there. Through 3.5 innings of play the Oilers put up 8 runs unanswered on 11 hits in the first four at bats.
In the top of the first, senior Dylan Wiley singled with two outs to left field to allow Fisher to score from second and take the early lead 1-0.
The top of third was the inning where the Oilers' offense exploded for six runs on six hits. Fisher who went 5 for 7 in the two game series, stayed hot at the plate with a double to right to lead off the inning. Seamon then would connect with a pitch for an RBI single to left. With one out in the top of the third, junior Kyla Snow singled with two on base scoring junior Kelsey Carter.
With a 3-0 lead, the Oilers were not satisfied and went on a two-out, four-run rally. Freshman Emma Bode singled up the middle to allow Wiley to score. With freshman Avery Shepherd up, Shepherd struck out, but advanced to first by a drop third strike wild pitch. Junior Gloria Corona and Snow each moved up on the pitch and Snow crossed home to make it 5-0. After an RBI single by C. Turner to score Corona, Fisher walked to bring up Seamon. Seamon, who finished the game with a perfect 4 for 4 performance at the plate, delivered once more with an RBI single to score Shepherd. After the top of the third, the Oilers lead stretched to 7-0.
In the top of the fourth, senior Devyn Zuro doubled to right with one out in the inning. Sophomore Tori Budzinski, scored on a pass ball with two outs to push the lead to 8-0 in favor of the Oilers.
The Chargers began to cut into the Oilers' lead scoring five runs in the fourth and fifth inning. Entering the top of the sixth up 8-5 over the Chargers, a two-run sixth inning extended the lead to 10-5. The two-run sixth inning was set up by three straight singles by Snow, Zuro, and then sophomore Olivia Carlton singled to left to allow Cowan to score from second. With two-outs, Zuro raced home to score on a wild pitch by the Chargers.
In the top of the seventh, the Oilers started their second straight inning with three base hits. Fisher led off the innings with a single, then Seamon doubled off the center field wall. Wiley then connected with a pitch to drive in Fisher for a RBI single and ultimately win the contest 11-5.
The Oilers offense were led by multiple players who tallied a multi-hit game. Seamon led the way with a 4 for 4 performance including two runs batted in. Snow combined for a 3 for 5 performance including one RBI and one run scored. Two-hit performance came off the bats four different Oilers. Fisher, Wiley, Zuro, and Carlton each had two hits in the nightcap.
In the circle, senior Caragyn Yanek secured her ninth win of the season in five innings pitched. The North Lima, Ohio native allowed five runs on seven hits along with two batters walked. Yanek tallied eight strikeouts in the win.
The Oilers will now await the G-MAC final standings for which seed they will enter the G-MAC tournament as. The Oilers entered the final series as the fifth seed. The G-MAC tournament will begin on Thursday, May 6th in Findlay, Ohio at the Cube. The game time is yet to be determined.