Posted: May 03, 2019
The Muskingum softball team slipped in its opening game at the Ohio Athletic Conference Softball Tournament against four-seed Otterbein on Friday, 5-4.
THE BASICS
- Records: Muskingum (31-10 overall), Otterbein (22-15)
- Location: New Concord, Ohio - Donna J. Newberry Field
- Weather: Overcast, 63 Degrees
GAME ONE
The Cardinals jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the fourth inning when Kayla Queer blasted a three-run home run to left field. The Muskie answered the Cardinal surge in the bottom of the fourth when senior Rachel Eberling smashed a three-run home run to tie up play at 3-3.
Otterbein reclaimed the lead (5-3) in the top of the fifth on Hannah Dobrinick's two-run home run to left field. Muskingum scored one run on two hits in the bottom of the fifth inning to close the gap to 5-4. Sophomore Riley Powers led the charge with an RBI single. The Muskies had two base runners in the bottom of the sixth but couldn't produce a run and went quietly in the seventh to end the game.
Eberling went 2-for-3 at the plate and guided the Muskies with a three-run home run and a double. Freshman Haley Hawk went 2-for-3 at the plate and tallied one double, while sophomore Riley Powers chipped in one RBI.
Freshman Hannah Smith took the loss for the Muskies after pitching five innings and allowing five runs on eight hits, with four strikeouts. Eberling tossed the final two innings.
Queer went 2-for-3 at the plate and led Otterbein with a three-run home run. Dobrinick notched a two-run home run. Gabby Johnson secured her 14th victory in the circle for the Cardinals. Johnson pitched a complete game seven-hitter, with a game-high seven strikeouts.
Muskingum next plays two-seed Ohio Northern on Saturday, May 4, in an elimination game. Game time is slated for 1:00 p.m. and will feature Live Audio and Stats on the Muskie Sports Network. The winner of the contest will play at 3:00 p.m. against either Baldwin Wallace or Otterbein.
