Oilers Sweep Storm
The University of Findlay softball team hosted Lake Erie College on Saturday, April 1 for a Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) doubleheader. The Oilers swept the Storm to improve to 13-12 on the season and 3-1 in GLIAC play.
After Lake Erie jumped out to an early lead, the Oilers used a seven run fourth inning for a come from behind 8-6 victory.
In the top of the first, the Storm took a 3-0 lead, as they connected on five hits in the inning, with two runs coming from a home run by Elizabeth Karako.
Findlay was able to score a run of their own in the bottom half of the inning. Junior Destinie Keeton doubled to lead off the inning and she scored on a RBI single by Kelley Cejer for a 3-1 deficit.
Lake Erie tacked on another run in the top of the second on another RBI from E. Karako to lead 4-1. The Storm extended the lead to 5-1 in the top of the fourth.
In the bottom of the fourth, the Oilers took the lead by scoring seven runs on four hits. Junior Madison Arnold drew a walk to begin the inning and junior Hayley Apple singled. Junior Amanda Delmonte brought Arnold home on a double and Apple was able to score on a fielding error. Another error loaded the bases for Keeton and she delivered with a two RBI single. With two runners on, freshman Evyn Kachenmeister cleared the bases with a three run home run (first of the season) for an 8-5 Findlay lead.
The Storm were able to score another run in the top of the sixth for an 8-6 final.
Junior Morgan James (2-3) picked up the win in the circle for the Oilers. After coming in relief, she pitched 3.2 innings giving up two runs on five hits with one strikeout. Sophomore Hailey Bryan pitched the final inning to earn the save.
At the plate Keeton and Apple each finished the game with two hits.
The Oilers connected on 11 hits and held the Storm to just five hits in the second game to come away with a 5-3 victory.
In the top of the first, Keeton led off with a single and senior Lauren Trumpler drove her in with a RBI double for a 1-0 lead. The Oilers tacked on another run in the second inning off a fielder's choice to extend the lead to 2-0. Delmonte and Shepherd both singled in the inning for Findlay.
Lake Erie was able to take a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the second by scoring three runs on five hits.
Findlay was able to tie the game in the fourth. Sophomore Salwa Al-Hajabed singled and was replaced by Rachel Vander Roest. Vander Roest was able to score on a double by Shepherd.
In the top of the fifth, the Oilers scored the final two runs of the game on a two RBI single by Delmonte. Trumpler and Arnold each singled in the inning.
Bryan (7-6) earned the win and pitched a complete game for the Oilers giving up three runs on five hits with one strikeout.
Shepherd, Delmonte and Trumpler each finished the game with two hits to lead Findlay.
The Oilers return to action on Sunday, April 2 for another GLIAC doubleheader against Walsh University with the first game slated for 12 p.m.