FINDLAY, Ohio – No. 4 Ohio Dominican's softball team took advantage of timely hitting and excellent pitching on Friday morning, as they bested Northwood 3-1 in the first round of the GLIAC Championship Softball Tournament hosted by Findlay.  The Panthers improved to 23-26-1 on the season and will await their next game against No. 1 Grand Valley at 4 p.m.

Northwood got on the board in the top of the first after Paige Shields coaxed a walk from Panther starter sophomore Rachel Stanzel (Angleton, Texas).  It would turn out to be the only free pass issued by Stanzel. Shields advanced to second on a wild pitch and scored on a single by Rachel Hammer.  Stanzel settled down, got out of the inning, and breezed the rest of the way.

The Panthers got things going in the top of the fourth. Junior Caitlin Jividen (Wheeling, W. Va.) ripped a fastball for a one out single, which was followed by a line shot by sophomore Taylor Thomas (Bellville, Ohio).  Heads up base running by the Panthers put the pair on second and third after advancing on the outfield throw.  Freshman Elisabeth Weber (Canton, Ohio) came through in the clutch with an RBI single through the right side of the infield and the Panthers grabbed the 2-1 lead. Thomas would score on an error by the Timberwolves first baseman.

As Stanzel continued to hold the Timberwolves in check, the Panthers plated an insurance run in the top of the seventh.  Weber singled and was sacrificed to second by sophomore Brier Sanner (Hartville, Ohio). Sophomore Kelsey Seeds (Westerville, Ohio) blasted an RBI double, scoring Weber and the Panthers finished the job in the bottom of the seventh.

Stanzel went the distance, allowing just the one free pass.  She scattered three hits and struck out four while completing her 25th game of the season.  Weber and Thomas each added two hits for the Panthers who now will relax and get ready to play again in the winners bracket.

Contact: Sarah Twiggs
twiggss@ohiodominican.edu