COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio Dominican softball team continued their southern swing to their annual spring trip on Friday as they made the short trip to Orange Beach, Alabama for the Gulf Coast Invitational. The Panthers split in the opening day of the highly competitive tournament as they fell to host Mobile, 4-1 and knocked off Freed-Hardeman by the score of 4-3.

The Panthers had their hands full in the opener as they took on preseason No. 18 the University of Mobile. After taking a quick 1-0 lead after the first inning ODU defense let them down as they committed three errors that led to three runs. The Rams stole the lead in the second inning as a pair of miscues by the Panther defense led to three unearned runs. The Panthers continued to put the pressure on the host as they collected 10 hits, compared to six for Mobile, but couldn't put any runs on the board.  

Erica Sutter (Sr./Mansfield, OH) went the distance for the Panthers allowing four runs, one earned on six hits. Kylee Crislip (So./Louisville, OH) led the offensive attack with three hits and the only Panther RBI. Jennifer Baker (Jr./Cortland, OH; pictured) was 2-for-3 in the loss.

In game two, the Panthers got another solid pitching effort from their starter Maria Staton (Jr./New Bremen, OH). Staton earned her second win of the trip after tossing six innings allowing two runs on six hits and striking out seven batters.  

ODU's four runs came on nine hits as they out hit their opposition for the second straight game. It was again Baker swinging the hot bat as she went a perfect 4-for-4 and stole a pair of bases. Cassandra Weitz's (Jr./Dayton, OH) had a big day as her two out single in the second scored two and collected her third RBI of the day in the six as she grounded into a fielders choice to score Shana Etter (Jr./Massillon, OH).

The Panthers will return to action tomorrow as they conclude their stay at the Gulf Coast Invitational with three games versus Faulkner University, No. 13 Houston-Victoria and Oklahoma Christian University.