PAINESVILLE, Ohio – A five-run fifth inning in game one and solid performance from the pitching staff in the night cap allowed Ohio Dominican's softball team to notch its first sweep of the season as the Panthers weathered Lake Erie, 6-4 and 3-1, Saturday afternoon in Painesville.

Win the sweep, the Panthers are now on a season-high three game win streak and have won four of their last five to improve to 11-33 overall and 6-20 in the GLIAC, while the Storm drop to 9-29 on the year and 1-19 in the conference.

All facets of the game were in full force for ODU as the Panthers' offense pounded out 19 hits on the day, turned five double plays on defense and the pitching staff allowed just five combined runs. ODU, the GLIAC leader in double players turned, entered the week 27th nationally and with five on the day, upped their season total to 25.

ODU spotted Lake Erie an early 4-0 lead in game one as the Storm sent one run across in the first and three in the second. The score remained until the top of the fifth when senior Jennifer Baker (Cortland, OH) got the momentum rolling with a one-out walk and advanced to second on a single to left by junior Erin Sutter (Mansfield, OH). Junior Kylee Crislip (Louisville, OH) reached on a fielding error and with the bases loaded, sophomore Brooke McCartney (Salem, OH) continued her hot hitting with a single to right, scoring Baker and Sutter.  Junior Caitlin Chaney (Newark, OH) followed with an RBI single to left and after stealing second, came around to score the go-ahead run on a two-out, two RBI double to left from senior Samantha Wolfe (Columbus, OH).

The Panthers increased the lead to 6-4 with an insurance run in the seventh as McCartney ripped a lead-off triple to right and scored on a sacrifice bunt by Chaney.

After surrendering a lead-off single in the bottom of the fifth inning, relief pitcher Maria Staton (Sr./New Bremen, OH) worked out of one-out jam with runners on second and third, striking out the final two batters and allowed just three hits the rest of the way to help preserve the win.

In game two, the Storm once again grabbed the early advantage with a run in the top of the first. ODU tied it up with a run in their first at-bat and sent a run across in each of the second and fourth innings. Baker led off the first with a single down the left field line, advanced to second on a SAC-bunt by Sutter and scored on Crislip's single to center.

The second inning started just as the first as Wolfe led-off with a single and reached second on a SAC-bunt by senior Cassandra Weitz (Dayton, OH). Following a walk and fly out, Sutter laid down a bunt single to third and Wolfe came around to score on fielding error by the first baseman.

The Panthers' final run came in the fourth as Baker followed a Weitz walk with a one-out single to left. A fielder's choice and passed ball advanced Baker to third and with Crislip at the dish, a fielding error by the second baseman, allowed her to score.

Staton was impressive in relief for the second straight game as she came on in the sixth and with the help of her defense worked out of a one-out, bases loaded jam as ODU turned their third double play of the game. Staton collected her first save of the season as she allowed just one hit in the seventh to give the Panthers the 3-1 decision.  

Chaney picked up the win, her fourth of the year, surrendering the one earned run on eight hits, while walking three and striking out one.

After collecting five hits on Wednesday, McCartney finished Saturday 4-for-7 with two RBI and two runs scored, while Baker also combined for a 4-for-7 effort with three runs scored and a walk.   

ODU travels to Findlay for a four-game conference regular season series finale, beginning with a 3:30 p.m. doubleheader on Friday.

Contact: Bryan Desch
deschb@ohiodominican.edu