The Muskingum softball team opened up its Ohio Athletic Conference opener by sweeping Wilmington on the road by the final scores of 6-1 and 4-3 (nine innings) on Friday evening. The sweep moved Muskingum to 36-0 all-time against Wilmington.

The Basics 

• Records: Muskingum (13-1 overall, 2-0 OAC), Wilmington (6-4 overall, 0-2 OAC)
• Location: Wilmington, Ohio – WC Softball Complex 

Inside the Numbers- Game One:

• Muskingum scored six runs on 11 hits.
• Junior Krissy Hughes paced the Muskies offense by going 4-for-4 at the plate, which included two doubles and two runs scored.
• Junior Rachel Eberling had an outstanding game as she went 2-for-4 at the plate, tallied a team-high three RBIs, two runs scored, a double, and blasted a three-run homer.
• Senior Haylea Debolt went 2-for-4 at the dish, which included a double, one run scored, and one RBI.
• Senior Melissa Maiorano notched two RBIs.
• Eberling earned the win in the circle, pitching a complete game allowing just one run on five hits, no walks, and registered five strikeouts.

Inside the Numbers- Game Two:

• Muskingum scored four runs on 14 hits
• Debolt led the Muskies by going 3-for-4 at the plate, which included two doubles.
• Freshman Jaelyn Meade went 3-for-5 at the dish with one RBI.
• Hughes and sophomore Jennifer Schrader also added one RBI each.
• In the circle, freshman pitcher Hannah Duff earned her seventh win and tied her season-high six strikeouts.

Game Highlights

In game one, the first five innings were quiet as neither team scored a run. Muskingum changed that in the top of the sixth inning when Debolt hit an RBI double, and a single bunt by Maiorano brought in Eberling and Debolt to make it 3-0. In the top of the seventh, Eberling smashed a three-run homer to push the advantage to 6-0. With two outs in the bottom of the seventh, the Quakers notched a run to make it 6-1. Eberling closed off the game by striking out the next batter to give the Muskies their 12th victory of the season.

The Muskies' plated three runs in the top of the second inning to capture the early 3-0 lead in game two. The Quakers rallied back by scoring three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to tie the contest at 3-3. Since neither team produced a run in the seventh inning, play continued into extra innings. The Muskies broke through in the top of the ninth inning when Meade singled allowing Eberling to score. Wilmington was not able to score in the bottom of the ninth, giving the Muskies the win.

Up Next

• Muskingum returns to action on Sunday, March 25 for its home opener with Thomas More. First pitch is set for 1:00 p.m.