Findlay, Ohio – History played out on Saturday, April 13 as the University of Findlay softball team welcomed the Malone Pioneers to The Cube on a sunny afternoon. The Oilers swept the Pioneers for a second consecutive year, winning the opener by a score of 9-0 and later taking the finale by a score of 8-0. With the two wins, a doubleheader that took just over three hours in totality, Findlay now has a record of 19-17 overall with a 6-8 mark in Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) play while Malone, which has not scored a run against Findlay in two years, falls to 21-13 on the year and 6-8 in the conference.
During the doubleheader, which served as the Oilers' Senior Day, a pair of historic events took place. First, in the opener, sophomore Alexys Antal tossed a perfect game, just the third perfect game in program history. Later, in Game 2, senior Avery Shepherd became the program's all-time leader in at-bats, breaking the old mark of 559 at-bats which was set by Tori Allen who played from 2011-2014.
Game 1 (W 9-0 – 5 inn.)
It did not take long for Findlay to take control of the game, setting Malone down 1-2-3 in the first inning before scoring two runs on a double by sophomore Annika Bredel in the bottom of the frame.
That would be all the offense needed, as Alexys Antal was pitching at an elite level.
The Topeka, Indiana native struck out five of the first seven batters she faced, dominating the Pioneers' lineup.
Offensively, the Oilers plated seven runs on six hits in the bottom of the fourth inning, including an RBI double by Antal, helping her own cause in the circle. A two-run home run by Bredel made it 8-0, bringing the run-rule into play.
Often in dominant performances such as this one, a defensive play takes place that saves the day. That was the case on Saturday. Needing just three outs to complete the perfect game, Antal got the help she needed to keep her historic performance alive.
The leadoff batter of the inning popped one out over second base, a ball that drifted to the outfield due to high winds. Second baseman Rhyli Pope extended out to make the play, but it bounced off the tip of her glove. Thankfully, centerfielder Jenna Poulson had come charging in from her position and made a diving catch off the deflection, keeping perfection alive
A fly out to right field and strikeout ended the game, giving Antal perfection.
The sophomore tossed all five innings and did not allow a baserunner. In the perfect game, Antal faced 15 batters, coaxing six flyouts and a pair of groundouts to go along with seven strikeouts.
Offensively, she was just as locked in, going 3-for-3 at the plate with a double, an RBI, and one run scored.
Bredel was also seeing the ball well, recording a 3-for-3 effort that included a double, a homerun, four RBI, and a run scored.
Game 2 (W 8-0 – 6 inn.)
The Oilers, which have now won six consecutive games against Malone, finally surrendered a base runner in the top of the first as the leadoff batter reached on an error. Back-to-back walks started the bottom of the first and, after a fielder's choice and sac fly, Findlay led 1-0 with two outs and one on base. Senior Kaitlynn Briggs doubled home another run and was followed by a triple from junior Lainey Bingham to score another. Junior Hannah Baker singled to center to put the Oilers ahead 4-0.
Another double by Briggs in the third made it 5-0 and, in the bottom of the sixth, Kaitlynn Briggs hit a single to left center that scored a run and gave Findlay the walk-off win.
Pitching dominated in the second game, as well. Sophomore Emma Jones started and tossed three innings, allowing no runs on three hits. She struck out four. Picking up the win was senior Molly Pfiffner who threw the final three innings and allowed just a single hit while striking out three.
Briggs was a force at the plate, going 4-for-4 with two doubles, three RBI, and two runs. Antal went 3-for-3, as well, collecting an RBI.
The Oilers are back in action tomorrow, Sunday, April 14 for a doubleheader with Walsh University. Those games will begin at 1:00 pm.
UF No-Hitters / Perfect Games
| DATE |
OPPONENT |
PITCHER |
RESULT |
| MARCH 26, 1994 |
Ohio Dominican |
Stephanie Dyer |
No-Hitter (W 4-0) |
| APRIL 20, 1995 |
Malone |
Stephanie Dyer |
No-Hitter (W 3-0) |
| APRIL 12, 2015 |
Lake Superior St. |
Chelsea McManaway |
No-Hitter (W 8-0) |
| MARCH 25, 2016 |
Northwood |
Chelsea McManaway |
No-Hitter (W 8-0) |
| APRIL 17, 2016 |
Saginaw Valley St. |
Chelsea McManaway |
Perfect Game (W 1-0) |
| MARCH 6, 2021 |
Charleston |
Megan (Fisher) Demler |
No-Hitter (L 2-0) |
| MAY 13, 2022 |
Ohio Dominican (NCAA Regional) |
Megan Demler |
Perfect Game (W 2-0) |
| APRIL 3, 2023 |
Malone |
Kayla Dykin |
No-Hitter (W 9-0) |
| APRIL 13, 2024 |
Malone |
Alexys Antal |
Perfect Game (W 8-0) |
