Akron, Ohio- The University of Findlay softball team kicked off its postseason on Wednesday, May 1 with a first-round game in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) Softball Championship which is being hosted at Firestone Stadium in Akron. The Oilers, seeded fifth, had an afternoon date with the Northwood Timberwolves, seeded fourth, and came away with a 5-2 loss. With the loss Findlay falls to 30-19 on the season, while Northwood improves to 32-18 on the year.
In the top of the first, the underdog Oilers seemed to get off to a hot start as both senior Avery Shepherd and junior Cassie Warner both reached base to lead off. UF then recorded back-to-back outs before freshman Joslynne Frazier singled to left center to send Shepherd home and put the first run on the board. However, Findlay took the third out, leaving two on base.
Northwood quickly responded with a run in the bottom of the first inning. They extended their lead with two more runs in the fourth inning, taking a 3-1 lead.
Sophomore Annika Bredel put the Oilers back within one in the top of the sixth inning with a solo-home run to left center. However, their efforts fell short as Northwood scored two more runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, which would ultimately secure the 5-2 victory.
Findlay recorded six hits, scoring two runs while Northwood recorded five runs on seven hits. Neither team committed an error.
Senior Molly Pfiffner took the loss in the circle for the Orange and Black. She tossed 3.1 innings, allowing three runs on four hits. She walked four and struck out one. Junior Emma Jones relieved Pfiffner allowing two runs on three hits. She walked one and struck out three.
Bredel's home run in the sixth was her lone hit of the day. Shepherd, Warner, Frazier, and seniors Alissa Davis and Kaitlynn Briggs recorded the other hits for Findlay, all of which were singles. Bredel and Frazier both recorded an RBI.
Since the tournament follows a double-elimination format, Findlay will now compete against the eighth-seeded Malone in the consolation bracket. The game is scheduled for Field #2 at 10 a.m.
