After opening with a 16-1 loss against the Bearcats of Brescia University, the Mighty Oaks softball team responded by taking the second game of the doubleheader, 7-2. OCU moves to 7-16 on the year, while Brescia finished the day at 12-20.
In game one, the Oaks gave up four runs in the first, followed by nine more in the second. A solo home run in the fourth inning by
Valerie Lewis, her first of the season, put OCU on the board, but the Bearcats added three more in the fifth, taking the game 16-1.
Lewis was 2-2 at the plate, with an RBI and a run scored, while
Demi Croak also went 2-2 with a pair of singles.
Anna Orsburn went 2-3 at the plate, with a double, and
Bailey Davis was 1-2. Lewis pitched into the second inning, allowing seven runs, three of which were earned, on six hits, while striking out one.
Lauren Stone pitched the final four innings, surrendering nine runs, including five earned, on 10 hits and a walk.
Game two saw OCU fall behind 2-0 after three innings, but the Oaks responded with five runs in the bottom of the fourth, followed by two more in the fifth.
Caitlin Huff pitched a complete game, allowing two runs, both earned, on seven hits and a walk, while striking out three.
At the plate, the Oaks were led by Stone, who went 3-4 with two doubles and two runs scored, and
Bre Scheberle, making her return after a knee injury sidelined her since March 15, going 3-3 with an RBI. Davis had two hits in three attempts, with a run scored, another driven in, and a stolen base. Huff went 1-2 at the plate, with a walk, a two-run home run, her third of the year, with a run scored and two RBI.
McKendree Ward went 1-4 with a run and an RBI, while
Kate Gertin had two steals and scored once. Lewis walked once and scored, while
Reagan Hensley drew a walk and picked up an RBI, and
Misty Merter drove in another OCU run in the win.
The Oaks will be back in action on Saturday, April 13, when the travel to Terre Haute, Indiana, to take on the Pomeroys of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College. Game one of the two-game set is scheduled to begin at 12:00 pm.
