Columbus, Ohio – The University of Findlay softball team swept a two-game affair on Saturday, March 22 in Columbus, Ohio, defeating the Ohio Dominican Panthers by scores of 7-5 and 6-3. With those two wins the Oilers improve to 17-7 on the year and hold a 4-2 mark in Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) play. ODU falls to 12-16 on the year with the losses.
Game 1 (W 7-5 – Box Score)
After struggling to get any offense going yesterday, the Oilers got on the board in the top of the first as junior slugger Annika Bredel drilled a two-out, solo home run to put UF in front 1-0.
ODU came back with three in the bottom of the frame but in the top of the second, Findlay responded with authority.
Junior Kora Navarro launched a home run to start the inning and freshman Meghan Heinsman then reached on an error. Back-to-back singles loaded the bases for sophomore Anna Jones who ripped a double to left, scoring all three runs and putting the Oilers in front 5-3. Another double by juionr Alexys Antal scored Jones and, after a strikeout, Antal came in to score on a single from sophomore Joslynne Frazier. Six runs on six hits in the inning and the Oilers had a commanding 7-3 advantage.
Findlay was done scoring at that point but the lead proved to be plenty as, despite two ODU runs in the fourth, the Oilers went on to secure the win.
Junior Kayla Dykin picked up the win in relief for the Oilers, replacing the starter Antal who came out of the game with two outs in the fourth. Dykin would throw 3.1 innings, allowing no runs on two hits. Neither pitcher recorded a strikeout in the win.
Game 2 (W 6-3 – Box Score)
An Anna Jones double led off the second inning of the nightcap, eventually leading to the Oilers' first run after freshman Makayla Cook singled to score Jones.
That 1-0 lead lasted into the third inning. Freshman Kenzie Woods reached on an error, Antal walked, and Bredel was hit by a pitch to load the bases for Anna Jones. The sophomore launched her first home run of the season, a bases-clearing grand slam that put the Oilers in front 5-0.
Another home run in the sixth, this one off the bat of senior Hannah Baker, made the score 6-2.
A solo shot in the bottom of the sixth pulled the home team to within three but that was all the closer the Panthers would get as UF went on to earn the sweep, the first doubleheader sweep of the Panthers since back in 2015.
Emma Jones tossed a complete game, going seven innings and allowing just three runs on seven hits. She struck out seven.
Inside the Box Scores
Anna Jones was the big bat on the day, going 3-for-8 at the plate with two doubles and a grand slam. She finished the day with seven RBI and three runs scored. Bredel also had three hits including a double and a home run. Antal had two hits, two runs scored, and an RBI.
Findlay is back on the road on Saturday, March 29 when they travel to Midland, Michigan to take on the Northwood University Timberwolves.
