COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio Dominican softball team had their seven game win streak come to an end on Wednesday as they dropped a pair of non-conference games to Northern Kentucky University in Highland Heights, Kentucky. The Panthers fell in the opener 10-3 and couldn't salvage the split as they dropped a heartbreaker 2-1 in eight innings in the nightcap.
In game one, it was a pitcher's dual for the first four innings as neither team could get their offense going versus the oppositions starting pitchers. The Norse broke into the scoring column in the bottom half of the fourth as they rallied for six runs to gain the advantage. ODU answered with three in the fifth, but another big inning by the home team capped off the victory as NKU captured a 10-3 victory.
ODU was led at the plate by Kylee Crislip (So./Louisville, OH) who had three hits and an RBI in the set back. Samantha Wolfe (Jr./Columbus, OH) drove in the other two runs for the Panthers. Erica Sutter (Sr./Mansfield, OH) suffered the loss in the circle.
Ohio Dominican jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the second inning of the nightcap. Chelsea Archer (So./Thornville, OH) drew a lead-off walk and moved to second on a sac bunt by Jessica Sciacca (So./Pickerington, OH). Archer would eventually score on an RBI single to center by senior Muriel Kelley (Sr./Ocala, FL; pictured) to give ODU the lead.
The Panthers would carry their 1-0 lead into the seventh inning before NKU knotted the game on a 1-out double. In the extra frame ODU threatened, but could not push a run across. The Norse found the answer in freshman Emily Schaweble as she took ODU starter Maria Staton (Jr./New Bremen, OH) deep to straight away center for the walk off winner.
Staton went the distance on the mound allowing two runs on seven hits and striking out four. Erin Sutter (So./Mansfield, OH) led the way at the plate for the Panthers going 2-for-4.
Ohio Dominican will return to action this Saturday, May 1st as they travel to Mount Vernon, Ohio to take on the Cougars of Mount Vernon Nazarene University. Game time between the former AMC rivals is set for 1 p.m.
