AKRON, Ohio – The Ohio Dominican softball team battled through the elimination bracket on the second day of the Great Midwest Athletic Conference Tournament. The Panthers started the day strong, defeating the #2 Chargers, 2-1, to advance to another game, but fell to #1 Trevecca, 3-2, ending the tournament run.

Alli Madden (Cincinnati, Ohio) and Kendrick Sterling (Crothersville, Ind.) both went .500 from the plate, collecting three hits each. Both players snagged an RBI while Madden had a stolen base and Sterling had a double.

In the circle, Grace Hammer (Uniontown, Ohio) made appearances in both games, snagging the win against Hillsdale. The graduate pitched 8.1 scoreless innings and had eight strikeouts. Marlee Jacobs (Plain City, Ohio) had two strikeouts against the Trojans and allowed only two hits in 4.2 innings pitched.

Game One
Unlike yesterday, the Black and Gold got a baserunner with a leadoff walk in the first inning. Hillsdale answered with a double and a walk of their own but couldn't plate a run. In the top of the second, Sterling singled through the left side and was left on base.

The Panthers got on the board in the top of the third. Madden leadoff with an infield single. Kaleigh Golden (Thornville, Ohio) reached on a fielder's choice and later got to third on a Charger's fielding error. Both runs were plated thanks to a Olivia Congleton (Belpre, Ohio) double to left field, making it 2-0 in favor of ODU.

HC plated a run in the bottom of the fifth with the help of two hits and a Panther error, making it 2-1. An inning later, Lilly Irvine (Delaware, Ohio) singled up the middle. Sterling and Madden both added singled in the top of the seventh. Hillsdale had no answer in their last at bat, resulting in a 2-1 win for Ohio Dominican.

Game Two
Liana Morreale (Gibsonia, Pa.) had the first hit of the game against Trevecca with a single to right field in the opening inning. An inning later, the Panthers got on the board after a double from Sterling. A single up the middle from Madden gave the Black and Gold a 2-0 lead in the second inning.

In the bottom of the third, a solo home run to left field allowed the Trojans to cut their deficit in half. Trevecca went deep again in the bottom of the fifth, this time plating two runs to take the lead, 3-2.

In their last two at bats, ODU went three up, three down, resulting in a win for TNU.

Up Next
Ohio Dominican awaits their fate in the postseason as the NCAA Selection Show is set for 10:00 AM Monday morning.