COLUMBUS, Ohio – After a week's break from the diamond, the Ohio Dominican softball team returns to Panther Field for a Ten-game home slate over the next two weeks. The Panthers will host three conference teams and a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletics Conference this week.

The Black and Gold open the week on Tuesday (April 11) with Malone University and then with Ferris State University on Wednesday (April 12). They pick up play again on Saturday (April 15) with conference newcomer Northwood University and end the week on Sunday (April 16) with Ashland University.

Opening First Pitch

• The last time out, freshman Kendrick Sterling (Crothersville, Ind.) led the way going 3-6 from the plate with a double and a run batted in. Sterling holds a .250 batting average on the season and 21 RBIs.
• Sophomore Kaleigh Golden (Thornville, Ohio) continues to lead the way for the team with a .406 batting average, good enough for sixth-best in the conference. Golden has 13 RBIs and four stolen bases on the year.
• Braxton Downs (Louisville, Ky.) has a total of 26 RBIs and a .547 slugging percentage. Fellow infielder, Alexis Stevens (Marion, Ohio) follows with 21 RBIs and a .352 batting average.
• Junior Alli Madden (Cincinnati, Ohio) posts the sixth most stolen bases in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference with 15 so far. Madden has 41 hits with a .369 batting average.
• In the circle, freshman Marlee Jacobs (Plain City, Ohio) netted a 0.00 ERA against the Storm last Saturday and picked up two wins with one shutout. Jacobs retired 12 batters and only allowed two hits in 11.0 innings pitched.
• As a team, the Panthers have a combined .298 batting average, ranking fourth in the G-MAC. They have turned the second-most double plays (12).

About Malone

• The Pioneers sit at 9-19 overall and 3-9 in G-MAC play, placing them in tenth place in the standings. In their last meeting a season ago, ODU swept MU in Canton, 9-1 and 4-2.
• Ohio Dominican holds a 15-3 record over Malone in the Division II Era. Malone last beat Ohio Dominican in the second game of the doubleheader in April 2021.
• Junior Taylor Kern leads the way with a .306 batting average. Kern has five doubles, two triples, a home run, and 10 RBIs.
• Splitting the time on the rubber are seniors Jenson Miller and Elizabeth Dyke. Miller has recorded a 4.00 ERA with 56 strikeouts and Dyke has collected a 3.25 ERA and 34 strikeouts.

About Ferris State

• The Bulldogs are 14-25 overall with a 4-7 mark in the GLIAC. Ferris posts a 7-6 record against G-MAC opponents this year.
• FSU is 10-5 against ODU with the last meeting resulting in a split in the spring of 2017.
• Senior Kaitlyn Orme holds a team-high batting average of .308. Orme is first in the GLIAC in triples with five.
• In the circle, Aryn Gallacher has pitched 101.1 innings, collecting 42 strikeouts and an ERA of 3.32.
• The Bulldogs will take on the Eagles of Ashland on Tuesday before traveling to Ohio Dominican on Wednesday.

About Northwood

• The conference newcomers have a 24-13 overall record with an 8-4 record in the Great Midwest, currently sitting sixth in the standings.
• The Timberwolves are 8-13 against the Panthers with their last meeting coming in the Midwest Regional in May of 2021 with ODU winning, 2-1.
• Freshman Ashley Ziel and Delanie Gale post team-high batting averages with .389 and .387. The pair combines for nine home runs and 12 doubles.
• Senior Hailey Leister is the Ace for NU pitching 117.2 innings, collecting 102 strikeouts, and holding a 16-5 record in the circle. Leister has the third-best ERA in the G-MAC (1.31).
• Before heading to Sunbury Road on Saturday, the Timbies travel to Grand Valley State on Tuesday and Cedarville on Friday.

About Ashland

• The Eagles are 13-21 overall and an even 7-7, placing them eighth in the conference. AU is 18-12 against ODU, but the Panthers have won the last five contests.
• Senior Hailey Struckman has notched a .368 batting average, netting 10 doubles, a triple, and three home runs. Struckman also leads with 24 RBIs.
• In 11 starts and 13 appearances, Kayla Ruperto has snagged 26 strikeouts in 59.2 innings pitched and a 3.99 ERA. Ruperto holds a 3-6 record in the circle.
• Ashland hosts Ferris State on Tuesday taking a short ride to Ohio Dominican on Sunday.

Week Schedule

Tuesday's doubleheader is set for 3:00 and 5:00 PM against Malone. The Ferris State games will start at 1:00 and 3:00 PM on Wednesday. Saturday's action with Northwood will begin at 1:00 and 3:00 PM as well. The week will wrap up on Sunday with games at 12:00 and 2:00 PM against Ashland.