Clermont, Fla.- The University of Findlay softball team kicked off their spring trip on Thursday, March 6, with a pair of games. The Oilers cruised to a 10-1 victory over Pitt Johnstown in the morning before falling 5-1 in a defensive battle against Concordia, St. Paul in the afternoon. With the split, Findlay now stands at 8-2 on the season, while the Mountain Cats drop to 1-7 and the Golden Bears improve to 6-12.

Game One vs. Pitt Johnstown (W 10-1)
In the opening game of the doubleheader, Findlay capitalized on back-to-back errors by the Mountain Cats to jump out to an early lead. With runners on second and third, junior Annika Bredel's groundout brought in one run, followed by a single from sophomore Joslynne Frazier that plated another, putting the Oilers up 2-0.

Pitt Johnstown scored their lone run in the bottom of the first.

Findlay added two more runs in the top of the third before breaking the game open in the fifth. The inning began with a single to center field by sophomore Anna Jones, followed by a walk from senior Cassie Warner to put runners on first and second. Senior Hannah Baker then advanced both runners with a groundout. Freshman Meghan Heinsman, continuing her strong season, delivered a clutch single up the middle to drive in Jones and Warner. The final runs came off a three-run homer by Bredel, sealing the run-rule victory.

Junior Kora Navaro earned the win in the circle, going the distance for the Orange and Black. She held the opposition to three hits and one run over five innings while recording a career-high six strikeouts and allowing just one walk, a career low. With the victory, she improved to 2-0.

Game Two vs. Concordia, St. Paul (L 5-1)
The second game of the day started scoreless as neither team put a run on the board until the top of third when the Golden Bears scored a run. Findlay tied the game in the bottom of the fourth thanks to junior Avery Flynn's single up the middle that sent freshman Kenzie Woods home. 

The Golden Bears capitalized in the top of the sixth, scoring four runs on three hits and an error to put Findlay on its heels. Despite opportunities to even the score in both the sixth and seventh innings, the Oilers couldn't close the gap.

Junior Alexys Antal took the loss in the circle, pitching just over five innings while allowing seven hits and five runs. Junior Kayla Dykin came on in relief, throwing just over an inning, giving up one hit, and striking out three.

Next Time Out
Findlay returns to action tomorrow, Friday, March 7, facing Glenville State at 9 am and California (Pa.) at 2 pm.