COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio Dominican softball team opens the 2023 season this weekend at the Lincoln Memorial Invitational in Harrogate, Tennessee. The Panthers will play host #20 Lincoln Memorial and Maryville (Mo.).
Opening First Pitch
- The Black and Gold return to the diamond after having a successful 35-19 overall record and a 19-3 mark in the Great Midwest.
- They were selected second in the Great Midwest Softball Tournament and won five straight elimination games to take their second consecutive Great Midwest Athletic Conference Tournament Championship. The Panthers made another NCAA Division II Softball Tournament appearance.
- ODU was tabbed as co-favorites in the G-MAC Preseason poll this season as they return 12 members from the squad a season ago.
- Among the returnees are seniors Braxton Downs (Louisville, Ky.) and Addison Smodilla (Terre Haute, Ind.), who were both honored with All-G-MAC Second Team accolades a season ago. Downs led the team in hits, doubles, home runs, and RBIs during her junior campaign. The third baseman also had a .364 batting average and .660 slugging percentage, leading the team.
- Smodilla returns to the circle after making 26 appearances on the mound, accumulating a 14-6 record in 118.0 innings pitched. The Indiana native netted 45 strikeouts with an ERA of 2.61.
- Returning for her second season with the Black and Gold is 2022 G-MAC Freshman of the Year Kaleigh Golden (Thornville, Ohio). Golden started all 54 contests her freshman year and was tied for a team-best of 59 hits. The sophomore notched 10 doubles, 17 RBIs, and 47 putouts a season ago.
About Maryville
- The Saints open their season at the LMU Invitational this weekend. Maryville was selected fifth in the GLVC Preseason poll after going 17-25 overall with a 12-16 conference mark last season.
- MU returns nearly their entire squad with the addition of two Parkland Community College transfers in juniors Emily Senjan and Chayse Ramey.
- Returning to the mound for the Saints is junior Reagan Smith. Smith made 22 appearances a season ago with 10 starts. She collected a 5-9 record with a 3.67 ERA and netted 71 strikeouts.
About Lincoln Memorial
- The Railsplitters open the 2023 campaign with a 20th place ranking in the NFCA Division II Top 25 Softball Preseason Coaches Poll after going 39-20 overall and 15-9 in the SAC last season.
- LMU captured the South Atlantic Conference Tournament Championship and the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional Championship in the 2022 season.
- They were slotted second in the SAC Preseason poll with four players earning preseason All-Conference recognition. Those recognized were outfielder Madison Henry on the first team, with pitcher Emma Frost, Catcher Mckenzie Henry, and shortstop Sierra Hucklebee on the second team.
On Saturday, Ohio Dominican will play Marysville at 10:00 AM and Lincoln Memorial at 12:30 PM. On Sunday, The Panthers will play the Saints at 11:30 AM and the Railsplitters at 2:00 PM.
Contact: Bailee Worley
worleyb@ohiodominican.edu
