Ashland, Ohio - The University of Findlay softball team took on Notre Dame College on Saturday, Feb. 10 in Ashland, Ohio and came away with two wins by way of run-rule. In the opener, the Oilers won 11-3 in six innings and in Game 2, won by a score of 12-4 in five innings. With the two wins Findlay improves to 4-2 on the year while Notre Dame (OH), playing its' first games of the season, start 0-2.

The doubleheader was originally scheduled to be played Wednesday, Feb. 14 in the Rossford Dome in Rossford, Ohio, but a favorable forecast that included weather in the mid-50s allowed for an outdoor affair at Ashland University, a midway point for both Findlay and Notre Dame.

Game 1 (W 11-3 - 6 inn) Box Score
Findlay got things started in the bottom of the first, scoring three runs on five hits. Senior Avery Shepherd led off with a double and scored on a single by junior Lainey Bingham. The next batter, junior Hannah Baker, ripped a two-RBI single to put the Oilers ahead 3-0.

Notre Dame scored twice in the top of the third and tied the game on a home run in the fourth, but an error by the Falcons in the bottom of the fourth allowed Findlay to take a 4-3 lead.

The game got blown open in the fifth inning when Findlay sent eight batters to the plate, scoring four runs on three hits, two of which were two-RBI doubles. Those hits came off the bats of sophomore Alexys Antal and senior Kaitlynn Briggs.

In the bottom of the sixth, leading 9-3, sophomore Annika Bredel sealed the victory with a two-RBI single that gave the Oilers an 11-3 lead, ending the game. 

Sophomore Kayla Dykin got the win in the circle. She tossed three innings in relief and allowed just one run on three hits. Antal was the starter and lasted three innings, allowing two runs on two hits and striking out four.

Shepherd had three hits including two doubles. She also scored three runs. Antal had a pair of hits, two RBI, and two runs scored while Bredel and Briggs each had two hits. 

Game 2 (W 12-4 - 5 inn) Box Score 
The second contest did not start as smoothly for the Oilers as Notre Dame jumped out to a 3-0 lead through three innings. In that same span, Findlay did not have a hit. 

However, the bats came alive in the bottom of the fourth, an inning that began with a single by Antal. Bredel tripled to make the score 3-1 and, three batters later, Hannah Baker ripped a two-RBI single to tie the game.

An inning later, mayhem ensued as Findlay collected seven hits and scored nine runs to end the game with a 12-4 run-rule. Again, Antal led off the inning, this time with a double. She scored on a single by Bingham. Baker then ripped a double to make it 5-4 in favor of Findlay. After a sac fly and a walk, the Oilers led 6-4. Then three consecutive RBI hits, a walk, and a two-RBI single put the game on ice.

Emma Jones tossed a complete game to earn the win. She threw five innings and allowed four runs, three earned, on five hits. 

Antal was the big bat, picking up three hits, an RBI, and three runs scored. Bredel had two hits, a double and a triple, two RBI and two runs scored while Bingham and Baker each had a pair of hits and three RBI.

Findlay is back in action on Feb. 24-25 when they head to Evansville, Ind. for the Blue Bridge Battle. Their first opponent will be Illinois-Springfield.