CRESTVIEW HILLS, KY - The Ohio Dominican softball team (14-18, 4-2 GMAC) traveled to Kentucky on Saturday for a doubleheader against the Thomas More Saints (11-12, 1-4 GMAC). The Panthers dominated both games, securing a sweep with back-to-back five-inning victories, winning 10-1 in game one and 12-0 in game two. 

Game One (W, 10-1 / 5 innings) 

Junior pitcher Marlee Jacobs took the circle for the Panthers, earning her fifth win of the season. She pitched all five innings, allowing just four hits, one run, and one walk while striking out four. Offensively, ODU delivered an impressive performance with 10 runs on 13 hits and seven RBIs. 

Addie Triplett continued her strong hitting streak, going a perfect 4-for-4 with four hits, three runs, and one RBI. Kendrick Sterling was also flawless at the plate, finishing 3-for-3 with three RBIs. Erica Massey and Avery Mueller each contributed two hits, while Marlee Jacobs and Kaleigh Golden added one hit apiece. 

How It Happened 

The Panthers wasted no time getting on the board, as Triplett scored the game's first run on a Kendrick Sterling single to center field. ODU erupted for five more runs in the second inning, starting with an Avery Mueller triple that drove in Emily Holland. Triplett followed with an RBI single to left, bringing Mueller home for a 3-0 lead. 

The scoring spree continued as Triplett came home on an unearned run, Sterling doubled to left field to bring in Massey, and Golden crossed the plate on a wild pitch, giving ODU a commanding 6-0 lead by the end of the second. 

In the third inning, the Panthers added three more runs. Holland scored on an error, Mueller crossed the plate on a Massey RBI single, and ODU stretched their lead to 9-0. 

ODU sealed the victory in the fifth and final inning with two insurance runs. Jacobs scored on a Golden single, and Triplett added another run on a sacrifice fly, extending the lead to 10-0. Thomas More managed to push across one run in the bottom of the inning when Emma Fegan reached on an error, allowing Ashtyn Elbe to score. 

Game Two (W, 12-0 / 5 innings) 

Freshman pitcher Emma Grau led the charge in game two, earning her sixth win of the season. She pitched all five innings, surrendering only four hits and two walks while striking out three. The Panthers once again delivered a stellar offensive performance, tallying 12 runs on 13 hits with seven RBIs. 

Triplett continued her hot streak, going 2-for-4 with two hits and two RBIs. Sterling, Liana Morreale, and Grau also contributed two hits each. 

How It Happened 

ODU's scoring began in the second inning when Sterling crossed the plate on a wild pitch. The third inning saw an offensive explosion as the Panthers racked up 11 runs. Grau started the rally by scoring on a Mueller single to right field. Moments later, Mueller came home on a Triplett RBI single, and Triplett quickly followed, scoring on a wild pitch. 

Sterling added to the lead with an RBI double that brought in Golden. Holland then singled to drive in Sterling, pushing the score to 6-0. The Panthers tacked on four more runs, including an RBI single from Grau, a passed ball that scored Morreale, a groundout RBI from Mueller, and a Triplett RBI single to right center. 

ODU capped off the dominant inning when Golden reached on an error, allowing both Massey and Triplett to score and extend the lead to 12-0. 

With no further scoring after the third inning, the Panthers secured their fourth GMAC win and completed the sweep. 

Looking Ahead 

ODU aims to keep their momentum going as they return to Kentucky for a doubleheader against Kentucky Wesleyan College on Tuesday, with the first pitch being thrown at 1 PM EST.