TIFFIN, Ohio – After a few schedule changes due to weather, the Ohio Dominican softball team finally made their trip to Tiffin University on Tuesday afternoon (March 28). The Panthers snagged two shutouts against the Dragons to collect the conference sweep.

Sophomore Kaleigh Golden (Thornville, Ohio) and senior Braxton Downs (Louisville, Ky.) led the way for ODU going 4-7 from the plate. Golden recorded a double with Downs grabbing an RBI. Kendrick Sterling (Crothersville, Ind.) drove in three runs with Alexis Stevens (Marion, Ohio) stealing two bases.

In the circle, Marlee Jacobs (Plain City, Ohio) collected her fourth shutout of the season in the opening game and record six strikeouts. Senior Addison Smodilla (Terre Haute, Ind.) grabbed her first shutout of the year, allowing only three hits and netting seven strikeouts.

Game One

Golden led the opening frame off with a double and later scored off a sacrifice bunt from Downs. After reaching on an error, Stevens bumps the Panthers to a 2-0 lead with the help of an RBI single from Sterling.

The Black and Gold collected three hits scattered throughout the game before having a strong final inning. A leadoff single from Liana Morreale (Gibsonia, Ga.) in the top of the seventh got things started for ODU. With bases loaded, Morreale scored after a hit-by-pitch for Katie Barnhart (North Ridgeville, Ohio).

An RBI single from Stevens extended Ohio Dominican's lead to 4-0 going into the final half inning. The Panthers retired the first two batters before the Dragons got a baserunner. A final putout from Stevens gives the Black and Gold a win.

Game Two

The Panthers struck first in the first inning with a two-run single from Sterling. ODU extended their lead to 3-0 in the top of the third inning after stringing together two hits.

The Panthers added two more hits while Smodilla held strong in the circle, only allowing three hits from the Dragons. In the bottom of the seventh inning, the senior pitcher retired the first two batters before the last popped up to Stevens, sealing the 3-0 win for Ohio Dominican.

Up Next

The Black and Gold return home welcoming the #6 University of Indianapolis on Wednesday for a doubleheader starting at 2:00 PM at Panther Field.

Contact: Bailee Worley

worleyb@ohiodominican.edu