NORTH CANTON, Ohio – The Ohio Dominican softball team traveled to North Canton, Ohio to battle Walsh University on Thursday in Great Midwest Athletic Conference play. The Black and Gold not only battled the Cavaliers, but Mother Nature as severe storms halted play during game one. Despite the difficult conditions, the Panthers managed to collect a doubleheader sweep of Walsh.

GAME ONE

ODU went to work in the first inning scoring three of its eight runs in the contest. Junior Madison Shemwell (Owensboro, Kentucky) opened the contest with a double to left field. Following a ground out to shortstop, Alexis Stevens (Marion, Ohio) found her way on base as she was issued the first walk of the afternoon. Senior Erika Case (Holland, Ohio) struck for her fifth home run of the season and gave the visitors an early 3-0 lead.

Walsh hit back for a run in the bottom of the third inning to trim the advantage to 3-1.

Sophomore Gracie Jo Thompson (Ashville, Ohio) collected her first career home run to advance the lead to 4-1. An RBI double from Stevens plated two more runners. The Panther shortstop would then score off an RBI single from Braxton Downs (Louisville, Kentucky) to give ODU a 7-1 lead. Kaleigh Golden (Thornville, Ohio) added one more run to lift the Panthers to an 8-1 victory.

Senior Sydney Long (Ashland, Ohio), reigning G-MAC Pitcher of Week, pitched another strong game. Long pitched seven innings, allowing one run and striking out seven Cavaliers.

GAME TWO

Both teams came out swinging combining for six runs in the series finale. Downs opened the inning with a solo home run over the left-field fence. Alli Madden (Cincinnati, Ohio) doubled to centerfield as she plated two runners to give the Black and Gold a 3-0 lead.

The Cavaliers came back to tie the game at 3-3 in the bottom of the second inning.

An RBI double off the bat of Madison Shemwell grew the lead to 4-2 and Golden scored the insurance run to power the Black and Gold to a 5-3 win.

UP NEXT

ODU returns to action on Sunday afternoon against Malone University. The doubleheader begins at 1 PM.

Contact: Ralph Schudel
schudelr@ohiodominican.edu