The Muskingum softball team split at Otterbein on Wednesday. The Muskies claimed game one, 9-5 and narrowly fell 8-7 in game two.

THE BASICS

• Records: Muskingum (21-5 overall, 5-1 OAC), Otterbein (12-10 overall, 4-2 OAC)
• Location: Westerville, Ohio – Otterbein Softball Field  
• Attendance: 46

GAME ONE

The Cardinals secured one run on two hits in the bottom of the first inning to jump out to an early 1-0 lead. Sophomore Karsyn Shaffer fired up the Muskies in the fifth inning with a two-run double to left center to give the Muskies a 2-1 edge on Otterbein. Sophomore Jaelyn Meade then tripled to left field, to score Shaffer and senior Krissy Hughes. Meade scored on a Cardinal error to give the Muskies a four-run cushion (5-1).

In the sixth inning, sophomore Bailey Waitkus scored on a wild pitch to expand the gap 6-1. Muskingum scored three runs on three hits in the top of the seventh inning to give the Muskies a 9-1 advantage. Courtney Hackney retaliated with a two-run home run in the bottom of the seventh inning to trim the deficit 9-3. Sage Jenkins then secured a two-run single to get the Cardinals within four-runs of the Muskies (9-5).

Sophomore Jaelyn Meade guided the Muskies with two RBIs and one triple, while Shaffer registered two RBIs and notched one double. Waitkus chipped in one RBI and tallied a team-best two stolen bases.

Freshman Hannah Smith pitched a complete game nine-hitter, with three strikeouts. Smith recorded her ninth victory of the season for the Muskies.

Courtney Hackney led the Cardinals with two RBIs and cranked one home run, while Sage Jenkins went 3-for-4 at the plate and tallied two RBIs. Gabby Johnson took the loss for the Cardinals after pitching six innings, allowing eight runs on six hits.

GAME TWO

In the first inning, freshman Haley Hawk secured an RBI single down the right field line to put the Muskies on the board. Otterbein answered back with two runs on three hits to secure a 2-1 lead.

The Cardinals tallied two runs in the third inning and three runs in the fourth inning to expand the gap 7-1. Senior Krissy Hughes increased the Muskie momentum with an RBI double to left field. Hughes then scored on a wild pitch to trim the deficit 7-3. Meade also scored on a wild pitch to get the Muskies within three runs of Otterbein (7-4).

Waitkus kept the momentum going in the sixth inning with a home run to center field to lessen the advantage 7-5. The Cardinals registered one run on one hit in the sixth inning to expand the lead 8-5.

Senior Rachel Eberling cranked a two-run home run in the top of the seventh inning in an attempt to close the gap, but the Cardinals were able to fend them off.

Eberling went 2-for-4 at the plate and guided the Muskies with two RBIs and one home run. Waitkus notched one home run and tallied one RBI. Hughes and Hawk contributed one RBI each.

Sophomore Hannah Duff took the loss for the Muskies after pitching three innings, allowing four runs on six hits. Eberling saw action in three innings and recorded two strikeouts. 

Alyson Shaw went 4-for-4 at the plate and led the Cardinals with a team-best two doubles. Anna Edwards secured the victory for Otterbein after pitching a total of 4.2 innings, allowing four runs on six hits.

UP NEXT

The Muskies next travel to University Heights, Ohio to battle the John Carroll Blue Streaks on Saturday, April 6. Game one of the doubleheader is slated for 1:00 p.m.