Harrogate, Tenn. - The University of Findlay softball team concluded the Railsplitter Invitational, Sunday, Feb. 4, splitting their two contests The Oilers opened the day with a 5-4 victory over the Ferris State Bulldogs and followed that up with a 6-2 loss at the hands of the Purdue Northwest Pride.
The Oilers return from the Volunteer State with a 2-2 record on the season.
Game One vs. Ferris State - W 5-4
The Oilers were the first to get on the board in the bottom of the first. Sophomore Annika Bredel hit a triple to left center and was later sent home by senior Kaitlynn Briggs.
Ferris State added two runs in the top of third to take the lead which they kept until senior Avery Shepherd scored off an error. However, in the next inning the Bulldogs regained a one run lead.
In the bottom of the fifth, junior Lainey Bingham doubled to left center to send Brooke Swavel and Bredel home to take the lead at 4-3. Ferris State would tie the game in the top of the seventh.
With the game tied at 4-4, sophomore Alexys Antal opened the final inning with a single to right field. Bredel hit a sacrifice fly to advance her to second base. Antal went to third on a passed ball. Bingham hit a single to send Antal home in walk-off fashion to secure the win for the Orange and Black.
Bingham recorded a career-best game, recording two hits and three RBI. Bredel had one hit, a triple, and scored two runs. Shepherd, Antal, and Swavel each scored a run as well.
Starting in the circle was sophomore Kayla Dykin. Dykin threw four innings, giving up three runs on three hits. She struck out two and walked four. Sophomore Alexys Antal relieved Dykin and picked up the win as she tossed for three innings and allowed just one earned run. She struck out two.
Game Two vs. Purdue Northwest - L 6-2
The Pride got off to a quick start in the first inning putting two runs on the board. Findlay answered right back scoring one of their own. Sophomore Alexys Antal singled to left center to kickoff the inning. Sophomore Annika Bredel also hit a single to shortstop to advance Antal to second. Senior Kaitlynn Briggs walked to load the bases. Junior Hannah Baker then walked to send Antal home.
Four runs by Purdue Northwest in the top of the third provided a five-run cushion.
Findlay was able to put the final run on the board in the bottom of the fourth. Junior Alissa Davis walked. Sophomore Jenna Poulson's sacrifice sent her to second base. Senior Avery Shepherd then hit a single to right field to send Davis home.
The final three innings failed to give Findlay the comeback they needed, serving the Oilers the loss.
Findlay finished with two runs on five hits in the game while PNU had six runs on ten hits. The Oilers committed one error compared to the Pride's three.
Junior Emma Jones was the losing pitcher in the game, throwing three innings and allowing six runs, five earned, on six hits. She struck out one. Senior Molly Pffifner relieved Jones, tossing four innings. She allowed no runs on four hits and struck out two.
Findlay will be back in action Feb. 14 as they host Notre Dame College for a double-header in Toledo, Ohio. Those games will take place in the Rossford Dome at Total Sports.
