COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio Dominican softball team split a non-conference doubleheader on Saturday afternoon with Urbana University at Blue Knights Field in Urbana, Ohio. The Panthers couldn't overcome a five run deficit in the opener as they fell 6-5, but thanks to a seventh inning homer from sophomore Chelsea Archer, ODU salvaged the split with a 6-3 decision.
The Blue Knights broke up a scoreless tie in the bottom of the third inning of game one as they got to ODU starter Erica Sutter (Sr./Mansfield, OH). Urbana scored five runs on four hits including a 3-run homer from Kayla Nenninger. The Panthers battled back in the fourth as they plated four of their own highlighted by a 2-run blasted from junior Samantha Wolfe (Columbus, OH).
ODU couldn't get any closer as another homer from Urbana's Megan Anderson gave the home team a two run advantage. Jamie Hazel (Sr./Pataskala, OH) doubled to lead off the top of the seventh and eventually scored, but the ODU rally fell short as they dropped the opener 6-5.
In game two, the Panthers took the early lead with a run in the first thanks to a two out single by Kylee Crislip (So./Louisville, OH). ODU got another run in the fifth to take a 2-0 advantage, but Urbana plated three runs in their half of the inning to steal the lead. ODU knotted the game at three with another two out hit this time by Jennifer Baker (Jr./Cortland, OH) setting up the late game heroics.
Back-to-back hits by Erin Sutter (So./Mansfield, OH) and Baker set the stage for Archer (Thornville, OH; pictured) in the seventh . With two outs, Archer took Urbana's Tami Lasley's offering deep to straight away center for a 3-run blast. The Panthers defense held strong as they salvaged the split with the 6-3 victory.
Maria Staton (Jr./New Bremen, OH) earned the victory in the circle as she went the distance allowing three runs on nine hits while striking out nine. Leading the way at the plate for ODU was Caitlin Chaney (So./Newark, OH) who collected three hits.
ODU returns to action on Sunday, April 18th as they host former AMC counterpart Point Park University in a non-conference doubleheader. Game time is set for 1 p.m. at Panther Field.
