FINDLAY, OH - Entering the week with a 9–3 record in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference standings, the Ohio Dominican softball team traveled to Findlay, Ohio, to face the Oilers in a doubleheader matchup. In a closely contested series, the Panthers earned a split. ODU took game one, 6–3, before falling 8–6 in game two after a lightning delay.
Game One (W, 6-3)
To start the day, the Panthers secured a 6–3 win in game one, handing Findlay's pitcher her third loss of the season (now 14–3). Freshman Alyvia Lawrentz earned her 10th win in the circle, allowing eight hits and three runs while striking out four over seven innings.
At the plate, several Panthers delivered strong performances. DP Olivia Congleton went 2-for-4 with three RBIs, including a three-run home run. Avery Mueller also went 2-for-4, scoring two runs and adding an RBI, along with a home run of her own. Pinch hitter Gianna Solinger went 1-for-1 with a key hit, driving in two runs.
Home runs set the tone in game one. Findlay struck first in the second inning with a solo shot. The Panthers answered in the fourth when Mueller launched a home run to tie the game. In the fifth, ODU broke things open as Congleton blasted a three-run homer to left field, scoring Reese Loveday and Addie Triplett to make it 4–1. Solinger later added a two-run single up the middle, bringing in Erica Massey and Mueller to extend the lead to 6–1.
Findlay added one run in the fifth and another in the seventh but couldn't close the gap, as ODU secured its 10th G-MAC win with the 6–3 victory.
Game Two (L, 8-6)
In game two, sophomore Emma Grau took the loss, pitching six innings on 71 pitches while allowing nine hits and eight runs. Offensively, Mueller led the Panthers with five RBIs, including a double and a home run in the seventh inning. Halina Schulte also had a strong outing, going 3-for-3 with two runs, one RBI, and a home run. Kendrick Sterling and Reese Loveday each added two hits.
Similar to game one, Findlay struck first, scoring two runs in the bottom of the first inning. They extended their lead in the second with four more runs, taking a 6–0 advantage.
ODU responded in the third, cutting into the deficit with three runs. Mueller delivered a clutch double to left-center field, driving in three unearned runs to make it 6–3.
A lightning delay paused the game for two hours, and upon resumption, Findlay added another run to take a 7–3 lead heading into the final inning.
The Panthers continued to battle despite the delay. Schulte opened the seventh with a home run to left field, sparking momentum. After a walk by Loveday, Mueller delivered again with her second home run of the day, a two-run shot that brought ODU within two at 8–6. However, Findlay closed out the inning to secure the split.
With the result, Ohio Dominican moves to 19–19 overall and 10–4 in G-MAC play.
Next up
The Panthers will host the Cedarville Yellow Jackets on April 18 for a doubleheader at Panther Field in Columbus.
