Behind a well-rounded offensive attack and clutch pitching, the Muskingum softball team earned a doubleheader sweep in its home opener against Denison on Tuesday afternoon at Donna J. Newberry Field. The Muskies secured a 6-2 game one victory and posted a 7-0 shutout in the night cap.

The Basics

• Records: Muskingum (9-3), Denison (6-4)
• Location: Donna J. Newberry Field – New Concord, Ohio

Notable

• The doubleheader marked the home opener for Muskingum.

The Difference – Game 1

• The Muskies got the scoring started off a two-out rally ignited by junior Kalie Eshelman. Eshelman hit a double to left field, while senior Haley Hawk hit a single through the left side to move Eshelman into scoring position. A throwing error from the Big Red Catcher saw the Muskies plate the first run of the game. 
• Again, with two-outs, Muskingum rallied with a double from senior Sarah Piteo in the fourth inning and notched back-to-back singles up the middle from senior Taylor Gallentine and freshman Cara Taylor that brought two runners in to make it 3-0.
• Muskingum extended their lead, 4-0 in the fifth after plating two runs off a single up the middle from freshman Nicole Young and a Taylor Gallentine walk.
• Denison cut its deficit in half with a two-out rally in the sixth off a double to right center that brought two runners in.
• Muskingum padded its lead by adding two more runs in the sixth off a single from Nicole Young to jump out to a 6-2 lead.
• The Big Red looked to threaten in the seventh with two outs and bases loaded but were unsuccessful as the runner was tagged out at the plate to secure the Muskie 6-2 victory. 

Inside the Numbers – Game 1

• Muskingum plated six runs off 10 hits.
• Senior Hannah Smith improved to 6-0 on the season after a dominating performance on the mound for Muskingum. Smith tossed 7.0 innings and fired seven strikeouts.
• Freshman Nicole Young led the Muskie bats with two hits and two RBIs.
• Senior Sarah Piteo and junior Kalie Eshelman both ended the contest with two hits apiece. 
• Freshman Cara Taylor and senior Taylor Gallentine added one hit and an RBI, while senior Haley Hawk chipped in a hit.
• Denison was led by Annabelle Calderon who finished with one hit and two RBIs.

 The Difference – Game 2

• A sacrifice fly to center field from Haley Hawk saw the Muskies jump out, 1-0 in the first.
• Muskingum jumped out 4-0 in the second, via a two-out, two-run home run from freshman Cara Taylor.
• A two-run triple to right field from freshman Taylor Stemmerding scored two Muskies in the fifth, while the final run of the game came from senior Claire Guilliams who hit a solo- home run to left field to notch the Muskingum, 7-0 win. 

Inside the numbers – Game 2

• Muskingum scored seven runs off 11 hits.
• Junior Madelyn Thomas earned a complete game shutout in the circle for the Muskies, striking out eight Denison batters. 
• Muskingum was led by Cara Taylor who registered a home run and two RBIs, while senior Claire Guilliams also recorded a home run and tallied two hits.
• Freshman Kaitlyn Bibb finished 3-for-3 with two runs scored, while junior Kalie Eshelman finished with one hit and an RBI.
• Freshman Taylor Stemmerding added a triple and two RBIs, while senior Haley Hawk added an RBI.
• Seniors Taylor Gallentine, Sarah Piteo, and Carlee Lamacz each added one hit apiece to round of the Muskingum effort. 
• Denison was led by Maggie Ballentine and Annabell Calderon who each chipped in two hits apiece.

 Up Next

• Muskingum is back in action on Tuesday, March 28, when they travel to clash with non-conference opponent Ohio Wesleyan. First-pitch for game one is set for 3:30 p.m. at Margaret Sagan Field in Delaware.