Akron, Ohio – The University of Findlay softball team survived another day of must-win action in the 2024 Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) Championship on Friday, May 3. Playing in Akron Firestone Stadium, the Oilers, playing out of the consolation bracket, faced another day of win-or-go-home softball.
It was a tall order, but Findlay defeated the top-seeded Trevecca Nazarene Trojans by a score of 3-2 in the opener and then came back with a victory against the sixth-seeded Cedarville Yellow Jackets by a score of 3-0. Those two victories put the Oilers back in the G-MAC Tournament Championship for a second consecutive season, needing two wins against the Northwood University Timberwolves in tomorrow's title games to earn a conference crown. Findlay's record improves to 34-19 following today's wins.
Game 1 (W 3-2 vs (1) Trevecca Nazarene)
Pitching has been the story across the board in this edition of the conference softball tournament, and that continued today for Findlay who would lean on a pair of arms to get through today's action. Up first was sophomore Alexys Antal who, with today's game, has now thrown five consecutive complete games for the Oilers, allowing just three runs in those games.
Antal was in control from the start against the top-hitting team in the G-MAC, the Trevecca Nazarene Trojans. TNU got two runners on in the first inning, but both reached with two outs. A strikeout by Antal ended the early threat. The Trojans did not manage a hit until the third inning, again, a hit that resulted in no damage on the scoreboard.
The biggest threat came in the bottom of the fourth inning when TNU, with two outs, loaded the bases with a pair of hits and a walk, but a foul out to first base left the bases loaded.
Findlay used that momentum to final get on the board in the top of the fifth. After two quick outs, senior Avery Shepherd singled and advanced on a wild pitch. A single by junior Cassie Warner scored Shepherd. Warner advanced to second on the throw home and then came around to score on a single by sophomore Annika Bredel, putting the Oilers ahead 2-0.
An insurance run in the top of the sixth came on an RBI double by junior Hannah Baker, a hit that plated junior Alissa Davis.
Leading 3-0 going into the bottom of the seventh, the Oilers needed three outs to continue the season. Trevecca did not surrender quietly, scoring two runs on the strength of a pair of doubles, but a fly out to left ended the game with the Orange and Black on top.
Antal was terrific as she stymied the Trojans' offense, allowing just two runs on seven hits. She walked a pair and struck out four. She threw 124 pitches in a game where she consistently thwarted scoring chances for the opponent and outdueled the G-MAC Pitcher of the Year, Trevecca's Ashlan Sensing.
At the plate, Shepherd was solid out of the leadoff spot, picking up two hits in four at-bats while Antal also chipped in a pair of hits.
Following the game, Antal gave an interview on the G-MAC Digital Network.
Game 2 (W 3-0 vs (6) Cedarville)
Again facing elimination, the Oilers had a quick turnaround, taking on the Cedarville Yellow Jackets just 25 minutes after the end of the game against Trevecca Nazarene.
The momentum from game one fed into the second contest as the Oilers took an early lead, using an RBI single in the second inning from freshman Joslynne Frazier to go ahead 1-0.
Like Antal had done in the first game, graduate senior Molly Pfiffner did in the second game. Her command was on display early as she allowed just one base runner through three innings of play.
Cedarville did load the bases in the top of the fourth thanks to two hits and an error, but a fly out ended the threat.
The energy from escaping that inning parlayed into success in the bottom half. Antal led off with a single and an error on a sacrifice bunt by senior Kaitlynn Briggs allowed Antal to score from first. Two batters later, another miscue by the Yellow Jackets brought in another run, making the score 3-0.
In the top of the seventh, the Yellow Jackets threatened with a pair of runners, but Pfiffner coaxed a ground out to third base to end the game and send the Oilers to tomorrow's championship.
Pfiffner was brilliant, throwing a completed game, four-hitter to earn her 12th win of the year. She did not allow a run on four hits while walking two and striking out three.
Last season the Oilers came out of the consolation bracket to earn a championship bid. Findlay won the first game against Hillsdale College before falling in the winner-take-all contest to end the season.
Tomorrow's first game will be played at 10:00 am, a must-win scenario for the Oilers. Should Findlay win, the second game will begin 30 minutes following.
