XENIA, OH - The Ohio Dominican softball team returned to action this weekend, staying in-state to face Ferris State in Xenia at the Athletes in Action field. The Panthers split the doubleheader with the Bulldogs, losing the first game 6-1 but bouncing back to win the second game 8-7. 

Game 1
The game remained scoreless for the first three innings, with both pitchers putting up strong performances. Ferris State broke through in the fourth inning, taking a 2-0 lead. Maddie Gkekas opened the scoring for the Bulldogs with a single to third base. After a stolen base and a groundout from Brooklyn Verbeek, Gkekas reached third base and then scored on a double RBI to right center by Paige Antcliff. Antcliff also crossed the plate on a throwing error, adding an unearned run. 

Ferris State extended their lead in the sixth inning with another RBI by Antcliff, bringing Verbeek home to make it 3-0. In the seventh inning, the Bulldogs added three insurance runs with a huge three-RBI triple from Emma Gillard, making it a 6-0 game heading into Ohio Dominican's final at-bats. 

The Panthers attempted a rally in the bottom of the seventh, with Addie Triplett reaching base on a single to the pitcher. A wild pitch later allowed Triplett to score, but Ohio Dominican fell short, losing the game 6-1. The Panthers ended the game with five hits, including two by Lilly Irvine, one by Erica Massey, and one each from Addie Triplett and Avery Mueller. 

Freshman Amelia Spidell started in the circle for the first game, pitching four innings, allowing four hits, two runs, and one walk. Senior Liana Morreale then came in for 2.1 innings, giving up six hits and four runs. 

Game 2 
In the second game, both the Panthers and Ferris State showcased their offensive power. The first inning saw Ferris State take the lead with an RBI single from Emma Gillard, which allowed Alexis Kozlowski to score, giving the Bulldogs their first run. Maddie Gkekas then hit a triple to center field, bringing in Emma Gillard and Jayden Marlatt with a two-RBI score, putting Ferris State ahead 3-0 as they entered the bottom of the first. 

Ohio Dominican quickly responded with a Kendrick Sterling RBI double, bringing Kaleigh Golden home to score an unearned run. In the second inning, the Bulldogs kept their momentum going, adding four more runs. Two of these runs came from a walk and a catcher's interference that resulted in an RBI. The final two runs were scored from a walk and a single by Emily Killion through the left side, bringing in Jayden Marlatt. At the end of the second, ODU was trailing 7-1. 

ODU fought back in the second inning, starting with a single from Avery Mueller to left center. Kaleigh Golden then hit a double to right center, allowing Leea Ibarra to score from a fielder's choice hit. Kendrick Sterling followed with an RBI single to right field, scoring Golden and narrowing the lead to 7-3. Lilly Irvine then hit a crucial two-run homer to left field, closing the gap to 7-5. 

In the bottom of the third, Ohio Dominican continued to rally, beginning with a double from Addie Triplett. Avery Mueller then singled to left center for an RBI, allowing Triplett to score and bringing the score to 7-6. The tying run came in three batters later when Erica Massey hit a sac fly, scoring Hannah Plymale. 

The game remained scoreless for both teams until the bottom of the fifth. Leea Ibarra walked and stole second base before Kaleigh Golden singled to left field, driving in Ibarra for the go-ahead run, sealing the victory at 8-7. 

The Panthers totaled nine hits, eight runs, and eight RBIs from 28 at-bats. Emma Grau earned the save and win after coming in for relief of Marlee Jacobs, who pitched 1.2 innings, allowing seven runs, six walks, and three hits. Grau pitched 5.1 scoreless innings, allowing four hits, one walk, and no errors. She now has a 2-2 record on the mound as a freshman. 

Ohio Dominican had scheduled two more doubleheaders this weekend against Seton Hill and Charleston, but due to weather, the Charleston doubleheader has been rescheduled for Tuesday, March 18th, while the Seton Hill doubleheader has been canceled. 

The Panthers will return to action next week at the 2025 Spring Games in Florida, where they will face eight teams throughout spring break week.