CHATHAM, Illinois – Ohio Dominican softball continues its weekend homestead, this time heading to the Prairie State to battle the University of Illinois-Springfield. The Black and Gold split the series taking game one, before falling in game two.

GAME ONE

Illinois-Springfield began the first game strong scoring six runs in the first three innings to jump out to an early lead. The Black and Gold bats began stirring in the top of the fourth inning. With one out  Gracie Jo Thompson (Ashville, Ohio) singled, driving in two runners to chip into the lead. A ground out from Keirah Smetzer (Ashland, Ohio) brought in Thompson to cut the Prairie Stars lead in half.

Another run from Illinois-Springfield extended the lead to 7-3 in the bottom of the fifth inning. The Black and Gold tallied five runs in the top of the sixth as Olivia Rettke (Reynoldsburg, Ohio) collected the first home run of her career and the season to drive in two runners. The inning was punctuated by an RBI double off the bat of Braxton Downs (Louisville, Ohio) to give the visitors an 8-7 lead which lifted them to victory in game one.

GAME TWO

Following the offensive explosion in game one, the finale was more of a pitcher's duel. Illinois-Springfield collected a run in the bottom of the second inning and scored two runs in the bottom of the third inning to claim an early 3-0 lead.

Neither team crossed the plate the next two innings but the Black and Gold began chipping away to come back. Kaleigh Golden (Thornville, Ohio) singled to left field to open the inning. Downs followed with a double which moved Golden to third base.

A sacrifice fly off the bat of Alexis Stevens (Marion, Ohio) drove in a run to trim the lead to 3-2. Unfortunately the Black and Gold comeback would fall short as the Panthers fell to the Prairie Stars in game two.

UP NEXT

ODU continues its weekend with a rematch against Quincy University. First pitch is scheduled for 5 PM EST.

CONTACT: Ralph Schudel

schudelr@ohiodominican.edu