COLUMBUS, Ohio – On Sunday afternoon, the Ohio Dominican softball team hosted Ashland University for a conference doubleheader. The Eagles came out swinging in game one, winning 2-1 with the Panthers taking game two, 4-1.
Four different players recorded doubles for the Black and Gold. Kendrick Sterling (Crothersville, Ind.) accounted for one while going 3 for 5 from the plate with a runs batted in. Alli Madden (Cincinnati, Ohio) added two hits and a stolen base.
In the circle, Addison Smodilla (Terre Haute, Ind.) grabbed her sixth win of the season. The senior pitched a 7.0 inning complete game in the pouring rain, allowing only one run and four hits. Marlee Jacobs (Plain City, Ohio) collected two strikeouts and allowed one earned run in her complete game.
Game One
The Eagles opened the first frame with single down the right field line. After a fielder's choice and an error, AU took the early lead, 1-0. In the bottom of the inning, the Panthers answered with a run of their own off of an RBI single from Braxton Downs (Louisville, Ky.).
Ashland retook the lead in the top of the third inning with two hits, making it 2-1. Makaila Moses (Lancaster, Ohio) picked up her first hit in the bottom of the fifth. Moses was put into scoring position from a double from Emily Holland (Mineral Ridge, Ohio).
AU added three more hits with ODU remaining hitless in the final two innings, giving Ashland the 2-1 win.
Game Two
Downs snagged her second hit of the day in the bottom of the second inning. Holland opened the bottom of the third frame with a single to center field. Madden hit her in with a single to left field, giving the Black and Gold a 1-0 lead.
Sterling netted her double in the bottom of the fourth inning, but was left stranded at second base. In the top of the sixth inning, the Eagles got on the board after a hit, two walks and a sacrifice fly, tying it at 1-all.
Due to the weather, there was a 45 minute rain delay between frames. After the delay, the Panthers came out strong collecting back-to-back hits and a double steal. A single from Sterling scored one, bringing it to 2-1. Freshman Samantha Schaefer (Louisville, Ky.) added two more with a double to right center, growing ODU's lead to 4-1.
Ashland led off their final at bat with a double, but left her on the bases, leading to a 4-1 Ohio Dominican win.
Up Next
The Black and Gold close out their ten game home slate with Walsh University on Tuesday (April 18) afternoon.
