COLUMBUS, Ohio – The visiting Bulldogs of Ferris State snapped a five game win streak for the Ohio Dominican softball team, defeating the Panthers by the scores of 4-3 and 5-2 on Saturday afternoon during ODU's senior day. The long ball was the difference, as all nine of Ferris State's runs came via homeruns.

The Panthers fell to 18-22-1 (13-5 GLIAC) while the Bulldogs improved to 19-11 (11-5).

The Panthers jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first inning when sophomore Alex Cribari (Lyndhurst, Ohio) doubled to left field. Sophomore Devan Audette (Bronson, Mich.) singled, scoring Cribari and advanced to second on the throw home. Audette scored ODU's second run of the inning on a groundout by junior Caitlin Jividen (Wheeling, W. Va.).

In the top of the fourth, with  two outs and one on, the Bulldogs Amy Dunleavy connected on a 2-2 pitch for a homer to right center, knotting the score 2-2.

Ohio Dominican responded in the bottom half of the inning after Jividen started the inning with an infield single. Sophomore Taylor Thomas (Bellville, Ohio) followed with a single of her own, advancing Jividen to third. Senior Brooke McCartney (Salem, Ohio) reached on a fielder's choice, scoring Jividen after the Bulldogs couldn't get the out at home.

In the top of the sixth, Dunleavy hit the go-ahead run after hitting a two-run dinger down the left field line to lead 4-3.

The Panthers couldn't overcome the one run deficit, falling in game one.

Sophomore Rachael Stanzel (Angleton, Texas) took the loss for the Panthers, tossing all seven innings with four strikeouts.

Game two's scoring began when sophomore Kelsey Albanese (Westerville, Ohio) started off by being hit by a pitch in the second inning. Freshman Elisabeth Weber (Canton, Ohio) reached first on a throwing error by the pitcher, allowing Albanese to score for the 1-0 lead.

In the third inning, ODU went up 2-0 when Thomas doubled to center field, scoring Jividen who had singled earlier.

Liz Hamming tied things up in the fourth for the Bulldogs after she belted a two-run shot to left field.

Hamming did it again in the sixth, blasting a  two-out, three-run shot, giving the Bulldogs the  5-2 lead , which proved to be the final margin.

Ohio Dominican returns to Panther field tomorrow, April 21 for its last home stand of the regular season against No. 9 Grand Valley. The first game is set to start at noon.

Contact: Sarah Twiggs
twiggss@ohiodominican.edu