The Muskingum softball team slipped in its Ohio Athletic Conference doubleheader opener against Otterbein on Friday afternoon at Donna Newberry Field. The Cardinals won the opener 7-1 and took game two, 13-8.

The Basics

• The Records: Muskingum (7-11 overall, 0-2 OAC), Otterbein (15-2-1 overall, 2-0 OAC)
• Location: New Concord, Ohio - Donna Newberry Field
• Weather: Overcast, 39 degrees and cold

Game One

• Otterbein scored seven unanswered runs after trailing 1-0 after the first inning.
• The Cardinals scored seven runs on 11 hits. 
• Muskingum scored one run on eight hits.
• Sophomore Amy Clark led the Muskies with an RBI single.
• Sophomore Melissa Maiorano went 3-for-4 with a double and run scored.
• Freshman Rachel Eberling (3-3) took the loss after going seven innings and allowing seven runs (four earned) on 11 hits.
• Rachel Owens (9-1) earned the win after scattering eight hits over seven innings, with one run.
• Tory Speakman led the Cardinals going 2-for-4 with two RBIs and one run scored.

Game Two

• Otterbein scored four runs in the top of the first and never trailed en route to the sweep.
• The Cardinals scored 13 runs on 16 hits.
• The Muskies entered the bottom of the fourth trailing 8-1 before erupting for five runs on seven hits to trim their deficit to 8-6.
• Otterbein answered the Muskie charge with a five-run sixth to regain control of the contest.
• Maiorano, who led the game off with a home run, went 4-for-5 with four RBIs and two runs scored.
• Senior Amber Bova added a two-run double.
• Muskingum scored eight runs on 12 hits.
• Senior Sarah Browning suffered the loss after going one inning and allowing four runs on three hits.
• Gabby Johnson grabbed the win in relief after tossing 3.1 innings of three-hit ball with two unearned runs.
• Speakman led the Cardinals with five RBIs. 

Up Next

• Muskingum next plays at Thomas More on Saturday, March 26. Game time is slated for 1:00 p.m.