The 25th-ranked Muskingum softball team toppled Denison on Wednesday afternoon. The Muskies won the opener 13-9 and claimed the night cap, 9-3.

 

 

In the first inning, senior Krissy Hughes scored on a throwing error by the catcher. Freshman Haley Hawk then grounded out to second base, to score sophomore Karsyn Shaffer and give the Muskies a 2-0 lead. Sophomore Riley Powers expanded the gap 3-0 off of an RBI ground out to the shortstop. 

 

Laura Bagan blasted a two-run home run in the bottom of the second inning to get Denison within one-run (3-2) of the Muskies. Hawk answered back with a two-run home run in the third inning to expand the lead to 5-2. 

 

Sophomore Shaena Mayer notched a two-run single to third base in the fourth inning to give the Muskies a five-run edge on Denison (7-2). The Muskies secured four runs on four hits in the top of the sixth inning to widen the gap to 11-2. 

 

Denison retaliated with three runs on four hits in the bottom of the sixth inning to trim the deficit to 11-5. Sophomore Bailey Waitkus rounded out the scoring for the Muskies with a two-run home run in the seventh inning to give Muskingum an eight-run cushion (13-5). The Big Reds scored four runs on four hits in the bottom of the seventh inning in an attempt to close the gap, but the Muskies were able to fend them off. 

 

Mayer tallied three RBIs off of two hits, while Hawk notched three RBIs and blasted a home run. Waitkus added two RBIs and cranked one home run. Senior Rachel Eberling tallied two doubles. 

 

Freshman Hannah Smith pitched a complete game nine-hitter. Smith earned her seventh victory of the season. 

 

Lindsey Clemson and Laura Bagan guided the Big Reds with three RBIs each, while Amanda Howell tallied two RBIs. Colleen Hoffman took the loss for Denison after tossing five innings and allowing seven runs on six hits. 

 

 

Brennah Dutcher scored in the bottom of the second inning on a Muskie error to give Denison an early 1-0 lead. In the third inning, Powers singled up the middle, to score Hughes and tie up play at 1-1. The Big Red notched two runs on two hits in the bottom of the third inning to capture a two-run edge on the Muskies (3-1). 

 

In the fourth inning, Mayer fired up the Muskies with a single up the middle, to score Eberling. Meade then notched an RBI single to tie the score at 3-3. Hawk secured the 4-1 lead for the Muskies with a single to right field. Waitkus led the charge with a two-run single to left field to expand the deficit to 7-3.

 

Muskingum secured two runs on three hits in the top of the fifth inning en route to the 9-3 victory over the Big Red. 

 

Meade, Hawk, and Waitkus notched two RBIs each. Powers, Shaffer, and Mayer tallied one RBI each. Hughes and sophomore Francesca Stefano both secured one stolen base. 

 

Sophomore Hannah Duff earned her fourth victory in the circle for the Muskies. Duff tossed a complete game seven-hitter, with one strikeout. 

 

Lindsey Clemson directed the Big Reds with an RBI and tallied one double. Taryn Welch took the loss for Denison after pitching four innings and allowing eight runs on 11 hits.

 

 

The Muskies next travel to Westerville, Ohio to battle the Otterbein Cardinals on Saturday, March 30. Game one of the doubleheader begins at 1:00 p.m.