The Tiffin University softball team salvaged a split on Sunday afternoon against Ferris State, but it wasn't easy. Tiffin had to score seven runs in the bottom of the 7th in order to avoid being swept by the cellar dwelling Bulldogs, winning 8-7. TU dropped the nightcap 8-2.
Game One
Tiffin starter Kimmy Reynolds cut through the Bulldogs like a hot knife through butter for the first three innings of her outing. She ran into trouble in the 4th, allowing three runs to score on three hits and an error. Her offense managed to squeak a run home in the bottom of the 1st, but it was the case of what might have been as Tiffin had a runner picked off at third, and stranded two runners in scoring position to end the frame.
Neither side did any scoring untill the 7th inning. Ferris State plated four runs on two hits to hold a 7-1 lead. With a comfortable six run cushion, it looked like an easy win for Ferris State, but it was about to fall apart.
A bunt single by Libby Crow started Tiffin's half of the 7th. Brooke Lambert's double followed, and Jamie Sevenish's single plated Crow to make it 7-2. Tiffin then loaded the bases for Gabrielle Hess, drawing a walk to earn a run batted in and pull Tiffin to within four runs at 7-3. Alayna Lytle committed the first out of the frame, but it was productive, picking up a run batted in with a ground out to make it a 7-4 game. A walk reloaded the bases for Tiffin, and then a free pass to Amanda Rock enabled Tiffin to pull to within two at 7-5. After a pitching change by Ferris State, Ally Rock followed her sister with a bases loaded walk to make it a 7-6 game with one out. Then things really got weird, as Libby Crow lifted a sacrifice fly to left field to tie the score. Ferris State then attempted to throw behind Bennett at 2nd base, and tossed the ball into center field allowing Tiffin to walk off on an error to the tune of 8-7.
Faith Bogard earned the win in relief, moving her record to an even 3-3. At the plate, Jamie Sevenish finished 3 for 4 with two runs scored and a run batted in. Brooke Lambert and Amanda Rock both finished with a pair of hits as well.
Game Two
The nightcap didn't go as planned for Tiffin. The Dragons allowed a run in each of the first two innings to trail 2-0. The Dragons cut the deficit in half in the 3rd, scoring a run on a pair of hits. Jamie Sevenish earned the run batted in with a ground out to make it 2-1.
The Bulldogs added two more runs in the 5th to hold a 4-1 advantage. Tiffin countered with a run of their own in the bottom half of the 5th, using a pair of errors and a sacrifice fly by Lindsay Graves to pull a run closer at 4-2.
Ferris State put the contest out of reach in the 6th and 7th innings, posting two runs in each frame to down Tiffin 8-2.
The Dragons sit at 19-14 overall and 7-3 in the GLIAC, currently tied for 2nd place.