COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio Dominican softball team put on an impressive offensive display in route to defeating Purdue Northwest University 7-4 on Friday afternoon at Panther Field. The win moves the Black and Gold to 4-1 at home this season and 4-5 overall.

ODU enjoyed a five-run second inning that began when freshman Baylee Adams (Cardington, Ohio) muscled a single up the middle. Adams didn't have to wait on base long as sophomore Braxton Downs (Prospect, Kentucky) drove a ball over the left-field fence to give the Black and Gold a 2-0 advantage.

The offensive display continued as Alexis Stevens (Marion, Ohio) earned a walk and was driven in by freshman Alli Madden (Cincinnati, Ohio) with a single down the right-hand side.

Senior Carson Hackerd (Frankfort, Indiana) continued her strong hitting performance when she hit a double to right-center field to drive in Madden. Madison Shemwell (Owensboro, Kentucky) also got in on the action as she singled up the middle and managed to drive in Hackard. All told, the Panther scored five runs and jumped out to an impressive 5-0 lead.

The Pride answered by orchestrating a three-run third inning to close the gap to just two runs. PNU closed the gap to just one run in the top of the sixth, but that wouldn't last long as the Panthers answered with a big fly in the bottom of the inning.

Hackard collected her first home run of the season when she slapped a ball over the right-field fence to extend the lead to 7-4. Pitcher Olivia Rettke (Reynoldsburg, Ohio) provided four innings of relief out of the bullpen to cement the victory and give the Panthers the edge in game one.

Both teams will battle once more on Saturday afternoon in a doubleheader. The first pitch is scheduled for 1 PM and 3 PM from Panther Field.

Contact: Ralph Schudel
schudelr@ohiodominican.edu