Box Score FINDLAY, Ohio – Ohio Dominican softball claimed its second consecutive Great Midwest Athletic Conference Tournament Championship in thrilling fashion with a 6-4 victory against Trevecca Nazarene on Sunday afternoon. The Black and Gold completed an incredible run winning five consecutive contests after falling in its opening clash with the University of Findlay to claim its second consecutive conference title and third in four seasons.
Both teams combined for three hits through the first two innings as Addison Smodilla (Terre Haute, Indiana) and Ashlan Sensing held the opposition scoreless. ODU struck first in the bottom of the third inning. Alli Madden (Cincinnati, Ohio) hit a single to left field and advanced to third base following a steal and an error from the shortstop. Madden scored following an RBI single from Braxton Downs (Louisville, Kentucky) that gave the No.2 seed the early 1-0 lead.
Smodilla helped her cause in the bottom of the fourth inning. The junior opened the frame with a single to left center field. Sophomore Alexis Stevens (Marion, Ohio) doubled to left center field and increased the lead to 2-0. Kaleigh Golden (Thornville, Ohio) followed by hitting her 10th double of the season to plate Stevens and Madden to swell the lead to 4-0.
The Trojans didn't go quietly loading the bases in the top of the sixth inning. Trevecca shortstop Alyssa Triner hit a grand slam over the left field wall to tie the game at 4-4.
Head coach Marcella Vanlandingham went to her bullpen and brought out game one starter Sydney Long (Ashland, Ohio) to get the final out of the sixth inning.
In the bottom of the sixth inning Stevens singled down the right field line to get on base early. Singles by Keirah Smetzer (Ashland, Ohio) and Alli Madden (Cincinnati, Ohio) loaded the bases for Madison Shemwell (Owensboro, Kentucky).
The junior second basemen singled through the left side of the infield to recapture the lead and give the Black and Gold a 5-4 advantage. Fellow Kentucky native Braxton Downs (Louisville, Kentucky) hit a sacrifice fly to left field that scored Madden and gave the Panthers a 6-4 lead heading into the final frame.
As was the case in 2021, Long retired the side to complete the comeback and clinch the Panthers G-MAC Tournament Championship. She finished game two going 1.1 innings, striking out one to get the game two win.
The victory marks the first time that the Panthers have hit 35 wins since 2018 and ties for the most in the Division II era.
UP NEXT
ODU has locked up an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament and learns its postseason plans when the NCAA Selection Show reveals the brackets Monday, May 9 at 10 AM.
Contact: Ralph Schudel
schudelr@ohiodominican.edu
