COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio Dominican softball team opened its conference schedule with a doubleheader sweep of Ursuline College on Thursday afternoon. ODU claimed a 4-1 victory in game one before completing the sweep with a 6-1 win in game two. The doubleheader sweep gives the Panthers their first conference opening day sweep since the 2019 season.

GAME ONE

The Black and Gold came out of the gates swinging. ODU tallied all four of its runs in the first two innings of the contest. Madison Shemwell (Owensboro, Ohio) opened the game getting on base the hard way as she was struck by the first pitch of the ball game. Kaleigh Golden (Thornville, Ohio) singled to the left side of the infield to amp up the Panther attack.

A sacrifice off the bat of Braxton Downs (Louisville, Ohio) moved both runners into scoring position. A single through the right side of the infield from Erika Case (Holland, Ohio) plated Shemwell and Golden to give the hosts an early 2-0 lead.

The next inning Keirah Smetzer (Ashland, Ohio) collected a one-out single to right-center field. She moved to second following a passed ball from Ursuline. Allison Madden (Cincinnati, Ohio) earned a walk which put runners on first and third with one out. As Madden attempted to move to second base, an error from the catcher allowed Smetzer to score, while moving Madden to third. The Panther outfielder came around to score after Shemwell hit a sacrifice fly to right field to plate the fourth and final run.

Ursuline mustered only a run as senior Sydney Long (Ashland, Ohio) pitched her sixth complete game of the season, striking out five batters and allowing just four hits.

GAME TWO

ODU once again went to work early scoring the bulk of its runs in the middle innings. Alexis Stevens (Marion, Ohio) opened the bottom of the second inning with a walk and would move to second base after a sacrifice bunt. A sacrifice from Addison Smodilla (Terre Haute, Indiana) moved Stevens into scoring position and that's where the Black and Gold would strike.

Baylee Adams (Cardington, Ohio) singled through the right side to plate Stevens and capture an early lead.

With one out Shemwell collected a single in the bottom of the third inning and would move to second base on a steal. A walk from Golden and an error from the Arrows shortstop loaded the bases full of Panthers. Stevens collected an RBI single to left field, plating one runner. Smodilla added another run to help her cause with an RBI single to extend the lead to 3-0.

Adams opened the fourth by collecting a free pass to get on the basepaths. She gave way to Gracie Jo Thompson (Ashville, Ohio) who came in to pinch run. Thompson advanced to third following a single from Madden. A bunt single from Shemwell scored Thompson, moved Madden to third, and saw the Panther second basemen advance to second. With the bases loaded, Alexis Stevens delivered an RBI double to swell the lead to 6-0.

Ursuline added a run in the seventh inning, but the lead was too much to overcome as they fell 6-1.

UP NEXT

The ODU homestand rolls on as they welcome the University of Findlay to Sunbury Road on Sunday afternoon. The first pitch is scheduled for 2 PM.

Contact: Ralph Schudel
schudelr@ohiodominican.edu