COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Panthers softball team returned to the University of West Florida for a pair of games at the Spring Fling on Sunday afternoon versus the University of West Florida and Harris-Stow State in Pensacola, Florida. ODU's offense was shut down on the day as they fell 6-1 to West Florida and 3-1 to Harris-Stow.
In game one, the Panthers (2-6) took on the host and NCAA Division II No. 25 ranked University of West Florida Argonauts (13-2). ODU and starting pitcher Erica Sutter (Sr./Mansfield, OH) had a tough task in the opener as they tried to slow down the Argonauts explosive offensive. The Panthers hung tough and held the UWF offense scoreless through six inning until the Argonauts showed their power scoring six runs on six hits including a two-out, three-run homerun.
The Panthers were able to score one run in the bottom of the 6th off of Chelsea Archer's (So./Thornville, OH) double to left field scoring Jennifer Baker (Jr./Cortland, OH; pictured), but it was to little to late for the visitors. The Panthers were lead by Baker and Archer offensively both going 2-for-3 at the plate.
Sutter shut out the Argonauts for four innings allowing five hits before turning the ball over to Shana Etter (Jr./Massillon, OH). Etter had a strong fifth inning, but in the sixth the West Florida bats got hot plating all six runs and handing the Panthers their second loss of the tournament.
In game two, the Panthers faced Harris-Stowe State University (3-3) for the third time this season. The Panthers entered the game 1-1 versus Harris- Stowe and looking to take the series lead in the night-cap.
Maria Staton (Jr./New Breman, OH) took the mound for the Panthers looking to silence the Hornets bats. Both teams struggled defensively under the lights surrendering a total of seven errors, three by the Panthers and four by the Hornets. The Panthers struck first when Cassandra Weitz (Jr./Dayton, OH) came around to score on Kylee Crislip's (So./Louisville, OH) single up the middle. That, however, would be the only offense the Panthers could muster in the loss.
The Hornets would answer scoring runs in the top of the 3rd, 4th and 6th innings going on to win by a score of 3-1. Staton pitched the complete game taking the loss for the Panthers.
The Panthers will return to action Tuesday, March 9th when they face former conference rival Shawnee State University in a doubleheader at the University of West Florida. Game time is set for 9 a.m. (CST).
