The Muskingum softball team settled for a split against OAC opponent Otterbein on Saturday afternoon in Westerville. The Muskies dropped game one, 4-3 and erupted for 14 hits en route to capturing the 11-6 game two victory. 

The Basics

Records: Muskingum (26-10 Overall, 11-5 OAC), Otterbein (15-16-1 Overall. 8-8 OAC)

Location: Otterbein Softball Field - Westerville Ohio

Notables

• Muskingum currently sits third in the Ohio Athletic Conference standings and is one game behind Mount Union and Marietta for the upcoming OAC Tournament that is reserved for the top four teams at the end of the regular-season. Muskingum will conclude its regular-season on Saturday, May 6, against Mount Union. The OAC tournament is set to begin on May 11-13 and will be played at the top seeds home field. 

How it Happened – Game One

• Muskingum struck first after three scoreless innings off an RBI double to left center from Carlee Lamacz to take a 1-0 lead.
• The Muskies plated their second run of the contest in the fifth off a Haley Hawk RBI single up the middle. 
• Otterbein evened the score in the sixth off a two-run RBI double.
• Muskingum pulled ahead in the seventh off a Sarah Piteo RBI single to left center. Muskingum looked to add more runs in the inning with two outs and bases loaded, however  a diving catch from the Otterbein left fielder helped get the Cardinals out of the inning. 
• A leadoff double and a sacrifice bunt in the bottom of the seventh set Otterbein up to plate the games tying run. However, the Muskies were able to get the tying run out at the plate, with the Cardinal batter reaching on a fielder's choice.
• With two outs and a runner on, Otterbein hit a two-run home run down the left field line to secure a walk-off, 4-3 victory. 

Inside the Numbers – Game One

• Muskingum plated three runs off eight hits.
• Senior Hannah Smith got the start in the circle for Muskingum. Smith tossed 6.2 innings and gave up four earned runs, while also tallying five strikeouts. 
• Seniors Haley Hawk and Sarah Piteo each finished 2-for-3 at the plate with an RBI.
• Senior Carlee Lamacz added a hit and an RBI, while freshman Sadie Smith and senior Claire Guilliams both added hits to pace the Muskie bats.
• Isa Lewis and Kendall Sestili led Otterbein with a hit and two RBIs apiece.

How it Happened – Game Two

• Muskingum scored in the first inning off a Sarah Piteo RBI single to right center to take an early, 1-0 lead.
• Muskingum plated four runs in the fourth to widen its lead, 5-0. Claire Guilliams, Sarah Piteo, Kalie Eshelman, and Cara Taylor all added RBIs to help contribute to the Muskie rally.
• An RBI single down the left field line saw Otterbein plate their first run of the game in the fourth. 
• In the fifth, the Muskies made it 9-1 off a Sadie Smith solo-home run and Haley Hawk three-run blast.
• Otterbein plated two runs in the fifth and tallied three runs in the sixth to trim the Muskie deficit, 9-6.
• Muskingum plated its final two runs in the seventh off a Sarah Piteo RBI single through the right side and a wild pitch, to secure the 11-6 victory.

Inside the Numbers – Game Two

• Muskingum plated 11 runs on 14 hits.
• Junior Madelyn Thomas earned the win in the circle for the Muskies. Thomas registered five strikeouts in 5.0 innings of work.
• Hannah Smith pitched 2.0 innings of relief and fired four strikeouts.
• Sarah Piteo led the Muskies at the plate after finishing 4-for-5 with three RBIs, while junior Kalie Eshelman tallied two hits, three runs scored, and an RBI.
• Haley Hawk finished with two hits, which included a three-run home run, while Claire Guilliams finished with a hit and RBI.
• Sadie Smith also notched a home run and two runs scored, while freshman Taylor Stemmerding and freshman Kaitlyn Bibb both finished with one hit.
• Caroline Heller led Otterbein with two hits and two RBIs.

Up Next

Muskingum wraps up its regular-season traveling to Mount Union on Saturday, May 6. First-pitch of the game one OAC doubleheader is slated for a 1PM start at 23rd Street Field in Alliance.