COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio Dominican softball team struggled early in its home opener on Saturday afternoon, falling in game one of a non-conference doubleheader 10-0 to future GLIAC rival Ashland University, but recovered to salvage the spilt, defeating the Eagles 1-0 in game two.
The Panthers (8-13) struggled to generate any offense in game one as ODU only managed four hits off AU starter Emlyn Knerem. The Eagles (10-4) offense was held in check through the first two innings, but was able to plate two runs across in the third inning and five more in the fourth to put the game out of reach. Starting pitcher Erica Sutter (Sr./Mansfield, OH) suffered the setback as she allowed four earned runs on six hits in three innings of work.
Ashland 's 10 runs came on 13 hits, led by Erica Miller who went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBI.
Junior pitcher Maria Staton (New Bremen, OH) took the circle for the Black and Gold in game two and did not disappoint. Staton grabbed her fourth victory of the season as she went the distance scattering four hits while walking three and striking out five. Chelsea Archer (So./Thornville, OH) provided the only offense needed with a RBI single in the home half of the sixth inning that plated pinch runner Sutter to capture the victory for ODU.
The Panthers will return to action tomorrow, Sunday, March 21st as they host Madonna University (MI) in another non-conference twin bill at Panther Field. First pitch between the Panthers and Crusaders is set for 12 p.m.
