DECATUR, Ala. – The Ohio Dominican softball team ended its three day tour of Alabama with an 11-1 win over Kentucky Wesleyan but lost to North Alabama 6-1 on the last day of the Ringor Chillout Tournament hosted by the University of Alabama at Huntsville.

The Panthers now stand at 1-5 on the season.

The bats came alive for the Panthers in the game against Kentucky Wesleyan, scoring five runs in the top of the first inning. Freshman Elisabeth Weber (Canton, Ohio) got the bats started with a leadoff single to left field and junior Caitlin Jividen (Wheeling, W. Va.) doubled to center field and the Panthers had runners on second and third. Both runners advanced a base on a wild pitch and ODU went up 1-0 after Weber scored. Freshman Kelsey Albanese (Westerville, Ohio) reached on a fielder's choice which allowed Jividen to score and give the Panthers the 2-0 lead.

Sophomore Brier Sanner (Hartville, Ohio) hit a sacrifice fly to left field, scoring a tagging Albanese. Sophomore Taylor Mason (Belpre, Ohio) then doubled, scoring two runs.

Kentucky Wesleyan scored a run in the bottom of the inning to cut the lead to 5-1.

The Panthers added two more runs in the top of the third, increasing the margin to 7-1.

ODU had another big inning in the top of the fourth when Weber started the Black and Gold on a single up the middle. Jividen doubled to left center followed by a walk to senior Brooke McCartney (Salem, Ohio). With the bases loaded, sophomore Taylor Thomas (Bellville, Ohio) smacked a grand slam to left field, her first of the season, sending the Panthers to an 11-1 lead.

That was all the Panthers needed, holding KWU scoreless in the bottom of the fifth and ending the game. 

Sophomore Rachael Stanzel (Angleton, Texas) went the distance for the Panthers, picking up her first win and allowing just one run on three hits.

In the nightcap, ODU jumped on the board in the bottom of the first inning when Weber hit a leadoff single to center field. Albanese advanced Weber to second on a single to the left side and Thomas singled to center field, scoring Weber and advancing Albanese to second. 

North Alabama tied the game at 1-1 in the top of the fifth inning after Dani Colwill led the inning off with a single to left field. Nicki Whitten followed with walk to put runners on first and second. Nikki Hodges singled on a bunt, and the Lions found themselves with the bases loaded. Summer Wilkerson followed suit and singled through the right side, scoring Colwill.

The Lions tacked on two more runs to go ahead 3-1 when Harlie Barkley singled up the middle, scoring Knepp, who was a pinch runner and Whitten in the top of the fifth inning.

The Panthers had an opportunity to gain a run back in the bottom of the fifth inning, and cut the lead to 3-2 but could not knock in the runner on third and UNA got out of the inning.

In the top of the seventh, UNA added three run to push the lead to 6-1 when the first three batters each singled and loaded the bases. Mallory Patterson followed with the Lions fourth straight single and scored Summer Wilkerson from third. Callie Steadman singled up the middle, scoring the final two runs and led the Lions to the 6-1 victory. 

Weber led ODU with two hits and a walk. 

The Panthers will compete next weekend, Feb. 23-24, at the University of Southern Indiana Spring Tournament. ODU plays Southern Indiana on Saturday at 10 a.m. and Kentucky Wesleyan at 12 p.m.

Contact: Sarah Twiggs
twiggss@ohiodominican.edu