MELBOURNE, FL - Returning to the Space Coast Spring Games in Melbourne, Florida for day two of action, the Ohio Dominican softball team faced two more opponents: Purdue Northwest and Lewis University.
Game One vs. Purdue Northwest (L, 6-4, 9 innings)
In a close battle that went into extra innings, the Panthers fell to the Purdue Northwest Lions, 6-4 in nine innings.
Two Panthers appeared in the circle for ODU, sophomore Emma Grau and freshman Alyvia Lawrentz. Grau started the first 3.1 innings, allowing seven hits and four runs while striking out one. Lawrentz entered in relief and pitched the final 5.2 innings, giving up four hits and two runs while striking out four Lions.
Purdue Northwest got on the board early. The Lions plated two runs on an RBI single in the first inning before adding another on an RBI double. In the second inning, another RBI double brought in a run to extend the lead to 4-0.
The Panthers responded in the bottom of the third inning, scoring two runs on two hits. Lilah Flores delivered an RBI single that allowed Leea Ibarra to score from third base. Later in the inning, Erica Massey crossed the plate on a wild pitch following her previous fielder's choice at-bat to cut the deficit to 4-2.
In the fourth inning, Olivia Congleton added another run for ODU with a solo home run over left-center field.The Panthers tied the game in the bottom of the sixth inning when freshman Reese Loveday connected on her first home run as a Panther, sending a shot over the right field fence to make it 4-4.
Both teams were held scoreless in the seventh inning, sending the contest into extra innings. The eighth inning also remained scoreless until the Lions broke through in the ninth with two runs on a sacrifice bunt and RBI single to secure the 6-4 victory.
Game Two vs. Lewis (L, 3-2)
Following a brief weather delay between games, the Panthers returned to the field to face the Lewis University Flyers, ultimately falling in a close 3-2 decision.
Offensively, the Panthers out-hit the Flyers 10-7, but a two-run inning in the fifth proved to be the difference. Lawrentz started in the circle, pitching five innings while allowing three runs on five hits with four strikeouts. Grau entered in relief in the sixth inning and allowed no runs on two hits while facing five batters.
At the plate, Kendrick Sterling had a strong performance as the designated player, going 3-for-3 with three hits and one RBI. Reese Loveday stayed hot, finishing 2-for-3 with two hits and one run scored. Saadie Maysonet added an RBI double, going 1-for-1 at the plate.
ODU opened the scoring in the second inning when Evan Platfoot, Kendrick Sterling, and Avery Mueller each reached base with singles. Saadie Maysonet then drove in Platfoot with a double to center field to give the Panthers a 1-0 lead.
Lewis answered in the third inning with an RBI single to tie the game. The Flyers then took the lead in the fifth inning with two unearned runs to move ahead 3-1.
The Panthers responded in the sixth inning when Sterling continued her strong performance with an RBI single to center field, scoring Loveday, who had doubled earlier in the inning to cut the deficit to 3-2.
ODU held Lewis scoreless in the sixth inning but was unable to produce a run in the seventh, resulting in a 3-2 decision in favor of the Flyers.
Looking Ahead
The Panthers return to action tomorrow in their final games of the Space Coast Spring Games, facing Mercy at 12:15 p.m. and Saint Michael's University at 2:30 p.m. to close out their Florida schedule.
