Findlay Splits with Hillsdale
The University of Findlay softball team opened up play in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) on Friday, March 24 with a doubleheader at Hillsdale College. The Oilers were unable to defeat the Chargers in the first game but came away victorious in game two to move to 11-11 on the season and 1-1 in conference play.
The Chargers took the lead in the second inning and never looked back as they defeated the Oilers 4-2 in the first game of the evening. Findlay was outhit in the ball game with only three in the game, while Hillsdale connected on ten hits. Each team committed two errors throughout the game.
The Chargers struck first in the bottom of the second inning on a RBI single to lead 1-0. Hillsdale produced another run in the bottom of the third on a RBI double to extend their lead to 2-0.
Findlay was able to trim the lead in the top of the fourth with a run of their own. Senior Lauren Trumpler connected on a double and with two outs, sophomore Salwa Al-Hajabed kept the inning going with a single to advance the runner. Junior Amanda Delmonte was able to score a runner, thanks to a fielding error by the Chargers for a 2-1 deficit.
Hillsdale tacked on another run in the bottom of the fourth and in the bottom of the sixth for a 4-1 advantage.
The Oilers were able to score their final run of the game in the seventh inning on another fielding error by Hillsdale for a 4-2 final.
Senior Jenna Inman (4-2) picked up the loss in the circle for Findlay. She pitched a complete game giving up four runs, three earned, on ten hits with one strikeout.
At the plate, Al-Hajabed finished the game 2-for-3 and Trumpler went 1-for-3.
The Oilers used a three run second inning and were able to hold off a late comeback by the Chargers to win the second game of the day.
In the bottom of the second, Al-Hajabed reach safely due to an error and junior Hayley Apple roped a single to center. Delmonte brought two runners across the plate with a triple to right field. Delmonte was able to score on a RBI single by junior Meredith Shepherd for a 3-0 Oiler lead.
Hillsdale's rally came up short, as they scored two runs in the sixth inning, but were shut down in the seventh for a 3-2 final.
Sophomore Hailey Bryan (6-6) earned the victory on the mound for Findlay. She pitched a complete game giving up two runs on eight hits with two strikeouts.
Both teams finished the game with eight hits. Hillsdale committed three miscues while Findlay had no errors.
Junior Destinie Keeton finished the game 2-for-4 at the plate and Shepherd also had two hits.
The Oilers return to action on Tuesday, March 28 when they will travel to Siena Heights for a doubleheader. The first game is set to begin at 3:30 p.m.