Findlay, Ohio – The University of Findlay softball team swept a doubleheader on Thursday, March 7, defeating Wayne State University twice in the series that served as Findlay's home opener. The Oilers picked up a run rule victory in the opener, winning 8-0, and came back with a 6-4 victory in the nightcap. With those two wins, Findlay improves to 12-8 on the year while Wayne State falls to 2-5.
Game 1 Box Score (W 8-0 – 5 inn.)
It was a late surge of offense combined with critical Wayne State errors that turned the first game on its' head as the Oilers would end up clinching victory in the fifth inning. But prior to that final frame, it was a tight ballgame that featured a little history, as well.
The game was scoreless into the bottom of the third inning when senior Avery Shepherd led off with a double to left center. A single by sophomore Alexys Antal put runners on first and second and, after two consecutive strike outs, senior Kaitlynn Briggs ripped a ball up the middle, scoring Shepherd and giving the Oilers a 1-0 lead.
Two innings later, in the bottom of the fifth, Findlay broke the game wide open and, eventually, ended it. Leading off the frame was Shepherd who blooped a ball into center for her second hit of the game. That knock was the 189th of her career, establishing her as the program's all-time hits leader, passing Jenna Motuza who had 188 hits from 2010-13.
A bunt single and a lack of awareness by WSU's infield moved runners to second and third with no outs and, following a walk to the reigning Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) Hitter of the Week, sophomore Annika Bredel, the bases were loaded. Freshman Joslynne Frazier lined out to right for a sacrifice fly, making the score 2-0. With Briggs at the plate, a throwing error allowed two runs to score and a single by junior Alissa Davis and double by junior Lainey Bingham quickly moved the score to 6-0.
Following a pitching change, sophomore Kora Navarro walked and, another error by the Warriors off a bunt attempt by junior Cassie Warner, sent two more runs home, ending the game at 8-0.
Findlay finished the game with eight runs on nine hits and took advantage of three Wayne State errors. The Warriors would end with no runs on three hits.
Shepherd and Antal each finished with two hits including a run scored while Briggs had two hits and an RBI.
Antal was the winning pitcher as she tossed a five-inning complete game. She did not allow a run on three hits while walking two and striking out two.
Game 2 Box Score (W 6-4)
The nightcap began with more hope for WSU as a two-run blast in the first inning gave the visitors their first lead of the day.
That lead was short lived as the Oilers pulled ahead 3-2 by the end of the second inning, led by a two-RBI single by Navarro in the second.
Wayne State tied it at 3-3 in the third, but Findlay again gained control in the late innings.
Frazier began the bottom of the sixth with a single and, after a popup, Davis singled to right center. Junior Hannah Baker then stepped up and blasted a ball to the warning track in center field, putting the Oilers ahead 5-3. A throwing error allowed another run to score giving Findlay a 6-3 advantage.
The Warriors did manage a run in the seventh but sophomore Kayla Dykin entered midway through the inning to slam the door and earn the save.
Findlay ended the game with six runs on seven hits and an error while Wayne State had four runs on five hits and one error.
Grad senior Molly Pfiffner picked up the win in the circle, throwing 6.1 innings and allowing four runs, three earned, on five hits. She walked two and struck out two to improve to 4-1 on the year.
The Oilers are back in action on Saturday, March 16 with a twinbill against the Saginaw Valley State Cardinals. That doubleheader will begin at 2:00 pm in Findlay.
