Clermont, Fla. - The University of Findlay softball team played two games against Mary University and Minnesota State University- Mankato. The games took place on Thursday, Feb. 29 at the Legends Way Complex and the Oilers earned a split, winning the opener 9-0 before dropping the afternoon contest by a score of 8-0. With the split, Findlay is now 7-7 while UMary falls to 4-9 and Minnesota-Mankato improves to 11-3.

Game One
The Oilers, who beat Mary 10-1 just one day ago, picked up right where they left off. After retiring the Marauders' first three batters, the Oilers put their first run on the board thanks to a walk with the bases loaded. 

Findlay wreaked havoc for Mary in the bottom of the second, recording seven runs on six hits. Junior Cassie Warner led off the inning with a single up the middle. A double to left center by Avery Shepherd sent Warner home. Sophomore Annika Bredel then recorded her second home run in the last two days, extending Findlay's lead to five. Freshman Joslynne Frazier would hit a double down the left field line that would send junior Brooke Radermacher home and put the Oilers ahead another run. A single by sophomore Kayla Dykin sent two more home and gave Findlay an 8-0 lead.

The Oilers added another run in the bottom of the third off of a single from sophomore Avery Flynn. Findlay kept that 9-0 lead to take the win in run-rule fashion.

At the plate, Findlay was led by sophomore Alexys Antal who was a perfect 3-of-3. She recorded two runs and one RBI. Bredel was 2-of-2 which included her home run in the second inning. 

Junior Emma Jones started in the circle, pitching just over two innings before being sidelined by an injury.. She recorded two strikeouts and two hits while allowing no runs. Senior Molly Pfiffner relieved her and picked up the win, pitching the final 2.2 innings. She allowed no hits, no runs, and no walks. She struck out three. With the win she moved to 1-1 in the circle.

Game Two
Findlay faced powerhouse Minnesota State-Mankato in game two, the 2017 Division II National Champions. 

The Mavericks wasted no time getting on the board posting three runs in the first inning. They added another run in the bottom of the second to go ahead 4-0. 

Despite three hits in the top of the third, Findlay left the bases loaded to end the inning, failing to capitalize.

Minnesota-Mankato added three more runs in the bottom of the fourth to take a 7-0 lead. One more run in the sixth gave the Mavericks the run-rule win.

Findlay ended the game eight hits while Minnesota-Mankato recorded nine. Leading Findlay at the plate, once again was sophomore Alexys Antal who recorded two hits in her two at-bats.
Taking the loss in the circle was sophomore Kayla Dykin. Pitching three innings, she allowed six runs on six hits. Dykin walked three and struck out two. She falls to 1-3 on the year. Senior Molly Pfiffner relieved her to throw the final two innings. She gave up two runs on three hits while striking out two.

Findlay will be back in action Saturday, March 2 as they face Concordia- St. Paul at 9am followed by Goldey-Beacom at 11:30am.