COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio Dominican softball team dropped a pair of non-conference games on Thursday afternoon in Tiffin, Ohio to future Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference foe, Tiffin University. ODU let a one run lead slip away in the opener to fall 4-3 and were shutout in game two in a 6-0 decision.
The Panthers opened the scoring in game one with a run in the top of the first inning thanks to an RBI single by first basemen Kylee Crislip (So./Louisville, OH'; pictured). Crislip's single down the right field line scored Erin Sutter (So./Mansfield, OH) who walked to lead off the game.
Tiffin got on the board in the second knotting the game at 1-1, but it was again Crislip that came up with the big hit as she drove in her second of three RBI on the day. Samantha Wolfe's (Jr./Columbus, OH) two out double set the table for the Panthers to regain the lead in the third inning. The Dragons answered with a solo shot to right field by Kelly Mayer.
For the third time in the game ODU couldn't hold on to the lead after plating a run in the fifth inning. Tiffin again battled right back to score runs in the fifth and sixth to hold on for the win. ODU committed three errors in the game that proved costly as two of the four runs by the host Dragons were unearned.
Crislip led the offense with three hits and three RBI. Wolfe also did damage with the stick going 2-for-3 with two runs scored. Erica Sutter (Sr./Mansfield, OH) suffered the loss as she went five innings of work from the circle.
The Panther offense stalled in game two as they couldn't get anything going against Dragons starter Amber Young. Young tossed a complete game shutout against the Black-and-Gold as Tiffin went on to complete the sweep with a 6-0 victory.
ODU had five hits from five different players, but continued to struggle defensively, committing five errors in the loss. Maria Staton (Jr./New Bremen, OH) suffered the setback as she went five innings allowing all six runs on eight hits while striking out four.
The Panthers will return to action on Saturday, April 17th as they travel to Urbana, Ohio to take on the Urbana Blue Knights in a non-conference doubleheader. Game time is set for 1 p.m.
