COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio Dominican softball team wrapped up their appearance in the Spring Fling Tournament at the University of West Florida on Wednesday with a doubleheader against Rockhurst University. The Panthers split with the Hawks giving them a 3-5 record in the highly competitive spring tournament.
After a three-hour rain delay, game one was underway as the Panthers looked to leave Pensacola on a high note with two victories. The Hawks were able to hold the Panther offense scoreless until the top of the fourth when Muriel Kelley (Sr./Ocala, FL) hit a two-out homerun to tie the game at one run apiece. The Panthers would add two additional runs in the fifth inning on Kylee Crislip's (So./Louisville, OH) single that brought around Brooke McCartney (Fr./Salem, OH) and Jennifer Baker (Jr./Cortland, OH) giving the Panthers the lead, 3-1.
Starting pitcher Erica Sutter (Sr./Mansfield, OH; pictured) was able to hold the Hawks to one run before exiting the game in the sixth inning. Sutter and the Panthers turned to the bullpen and couldn't hold on as the Hawks managed to score three times to earn the victory, 4-3.
In game two, the Panthers jumped out to an early lead scoring in each of the first three innings to take the lead, 4-2. The Hawks, however, would continue to chip away and eventually take the lead in the top of the sixth inning. ODU answered in their half of the inning when Erica Sutter reached on an error, which allowed Muriel Kelley (Sr./Ocala, FL) to score easily to tie the game. With the bases still loaded, Chelsea Archer (So./Thornville, OH) drew a critical walk scoring Samantha Wolfe (Jr./Columbus, OH) and giving the Panthers the lead for good. ODU was lead offensively by Wolfe who was 1-for-2 at the plate with two RBI's and one run scored.
Starting pitcher Maria Staton (Jr./New Bremen, OH) earned her first win as she went the distance allowing five runs on 12 hits.
The Panthers will now travel to Orange Beach, AL tomorrow for the Gulf Coast Invitational and return to action on Friday, March 12 when they face the No. 5 ranked, University of Mobile Rams at 9:30 a.m. In game two the Panthers will face Freed-Hardeman University. Game two is scheduled to start at 3 p.m.
