The Muskingum softball team split at key Ohio Athletic Conference doubleheader at Otterbein on Saturday. The Cardinals won the opener 4-0 and the Muskies took the nightcap, 5-1.

With the spilt, Muskingum remains tied for fourth place in the OAC with Otterbein and John Carroll with a 9-7 conference record. The Muskies will host Baldwin Wallace for its league finale next Saturday, while Otterbein plays at Heidelberg and John Carroll plays at Marietta. The top four teams at the end of the regular season advance to the OAC Tournament.

In the opener, Rachael Owens (10-9) scattered eight hits en route to tossing the complete game shutout.

Otterbein (13-17, 9-7) plated one run in the first and added three insurance runs in the sixth.

Owens, Megan Garner, Chey Rowe and Kennedy Daly all had an RBI.

Muskingum was paced by senior Hannah Reese who went 3-for-4 and by freshman Amy Clark who went 2-for-3.

Junior Sarah Browning (8-8) took the loss after starting and going 5.1 innings and allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits.

In game two, Muskingum scored a run in the opening three innings and added two more in the sixth on senior Jaclynn Hess' two-run home run to complete the scoring. 

In the first frame, junior Kelly Martin scored on a passed ball and in the second Clark belted an RBI double. Browning hit a solo home run in the third. Browning ended the outing going 2-for-4 with a home run and triple.

Junior Kristin Gill (6-5) fired a complete game and allowed one run with two strikeouts.

Bailey McElwain led the Cardinals with a pair of hits. Garner (0-2) was handed the setback and pitching one inning and allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits.

Muskingum (20-16, 9-7) next hosts Washington & Jefferson on Sunday, April 19. Game time is slated for 2:00 p.m. at Donna J. Newberry Field.