FINDLAY, Ohio -- The Ohio Dominican softball team posted a three-run sixth inning and Sydney Long (Ashland, Ohio) tossed a complete game shutout as the Panthers staved off elimination in the Great Midwest Tournament, defeating top-seeded Hillsdale on Saturday morning, 3-0.

The Panthers improve to 31-17 overall and will continue their journey and title defense in the G-MAC Tournament. Hillsdale falls to 31-20 overall with the loss. 

Ohio Dominican was held without a hit for five innings, but a leadoff double from Alexis Stevens (Marion, Ohio) in the top of the sixth sparked an offensive rally. Stevens would go on to score the first run of the game on a hard hit ground ball to first base by Madison Shemwell (Owensboro, Ky.). With two outs in the inning, Braxton Downs (Louisville, Ky.) drove in a pair with a double to right center. The Panthers led 3-0 after the offensive fireworks in the sixth. 

Long, the 2022 G-MAC Pitcher of the Year, was masterful throughout, matching her Hillsdale pitching counterpart early to keep the Chargers off the scoreboard. The senior retired the first six batters she faced and nine of the first 11 for Hillsdale to keep the contest in a 0-0 stalemate. Overall, Long struck out nine batters in the win. 

Long worked around three hits and four walks to earn her eighth shutout win of the season. The Chargers had three runners reach over the final two innings, but the right-hander stranded them all to keep ODU's postseason hopes alive. 

Sidney Jackson (Lewisburg, Ohio) added a pinch hit single in the seventh to give ODU three hits in the contest, matching Hillsdale's total. The Panthers left three runners stranded, while HC left seven on base. 

UP NEXT

Ohio Dominican will continue its run through the consolation bracket, and will face No. 6 Ursuline at 2:00 p.m. in Findlay, Ohio.

Contact: Tyler Jester

jestert@ohiodominican.edu