AKRON, OH - The Ohio Dominican Panthers (27-27) concluded their season yesterday in the consolation final on day three of the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) tournament in Akron, Ohio. After starting strong with back-to-back wins against #4 Northwood University (3-1) and top-seeded Tiffin University (3-1) to remain in the winners bracket, the Panthers fell to the #2 Hillsdale Chargers, 4-3, on Friday morning, and later that afternoon, to Tiffin in the consolation final, 4-1.
Game One (L, 4-3) vs. Hillsdale
In Friday's early game, the Panthers faced Hillsdale with a chance to advance to Saturday's championship. Ohio Dominican narrowly lost, 4-3, on a walk-off hit by the Chargers. Freshman Emma Grau started in the circle for ODU, pitching 4.2 innings and allowing six hits, two runs, and recording three strikeouts. Senior Marlee Jacobs came in for relief, throwing 1.2 innings and giving up four hits and two runs while also striking out three.
Offensively, the Panthers collected seven hits, scoring three runs and driving in two. Erica Massey and Olivia Congleton each had two hits, while Kaleigh Golden, Kendrick Sterling, and Saadie Maysonet added one hit apiece.
How It Happened
Hillsdale struck first in the opening inning with a solo home run to left center. Ohio Dominican answered in the third when Golden's infield single, combined with a throwing error, allowed Maysonet to score and tie the game. Hillsdale regained the lead in the fifth with an RBI single.
ODU responded in the sixth, taking a 3-2 lead after Sterling delivered a two-RBI double, bringing home Massey and Congleton. However, Hillsdale quickly tied it again in the bottom of the inning on a fielder's choice. In the final frame, the Chargers clinched the win with a walk-off single down the right field line, ending the game at 4-3.
Game Two (L, 4-1) vs. Tiffin
Later that day, the Panthers faced top-seeded Tiffin again, this time in the consolation final for a spot in the championship. Ohio Dominican fell short, 4-1, after seven innings.
Jacobs started in the circle, pitching 3.1 innings and allowing three hits and four runs, with one strikeout. Grau came in for relief, tossing 2.2 innings with two hits, no runs, and one strikeout. The offense managed six hits, resulting in just one run and one RBI.
How It Happened
Both teams remained scoreless through the first three innings. Tiffin broke through in the fourth, scoring four runs via a double, an RBI single, and a wild pitch. The Panthers attempted a rally in the sixth, as Emily Holland drove in Avery Mueller with an RBI, but Tiffin held them scoreless the rest of the way and advanced to face Hillsdale in the championship.
Ohio Dominican concluded their season with a 27-27 overall record and a 15-9 mark in conference play, finishing third out of eight teams in the G-MAC tournament.
