CHATHAM, Ill – The Ohio Dominican softball team returned to its winning ways claiming a Saturday sweep over Quincy University. ODU took the first game of the series 2-1 and concluded the evening with a 5-0 victory in the series finale.

GAME ONE

The first contest of the afternoon was a pitcher's duel as both starters combined to allow just one earned run. Senior Sydney Long (Ashland, Ohio) returned to the circle to strike out five batters in seven innings of work. The Hawks broke through in the top of the second inning off an RBI single to right field to claim an early 1-0 advantage. ODU struck back in the bottom of the inning tallying a run. Baylee Adams (Cardington, Ohio) reached base with a walk before head coach Marcella Vanlandingham went to the bench and called upon McKenna Conley (Mt. Orab, Ohio) to pinch run.

She advanced to second base, before reaching third base on a passed ball. Marley McDonald (Dublin, Ohio) singled to left field, driving in Conley and tying the game at 1-1.

Conley would score the game-winning run in the bottom of the fourth inning, crossing home plate after an error by the catcher. That run proved the difference and lifted the Black and Gold to victory in game one.

GAME TWO

The Black and Gold bats came alive in the second game with the Panthers scoring nine runs in the contest. Following three scoreless innings, ODU went to work in the top of the fourth. Braxton Downs (Louisville, Kentucky) opened the half-inning with a double to left field. Alexis Stevens (Marion, Ohio) joined her on base as she followed with a single that moved Downs to third. A groundout off the bat of Adams was strong enough to score downs and give the Black and Gold a 1-0 advantage.

A sacrifice off the bat of Addison Smodilla (Terre Haute, Indiana) doubled the lead to 2-0 as it allowed Stevens to cross the plate. Not only did she succeed in the batter's box but in the circle as well. Smodilla pitched seven shutout innings, striking out six and allowing just two runs. A two-run home run over the right-field fence off the bat of Downs plated three more and swelled the lead to 5-0.

ODU added four more runs in the top of the fourth, including an RBI single from Smodilla as the Black and Gold completed the sweep with a 9-0 victory in game two.

UP NEXT

The Panthers conclude their lengthy road trip on Sunday afternoon as they battle the University of Illinois Springfield. First pitch is scheduled for 1 PM EST.

Contact: Ralph Schudel
schudelr@ohiodominican.edu