Canton, Ohio – The University of Findlay softball team split a doubleheader on Sunday, April 27 in Canton, Ohio against the Malone University Pioneers, dropping the opener by a score of 3-0 but winning the nightcap 5-1. That split ends the Oilers' regular season with a 32-12 record overall and a 19-5 mark in Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) play. Malone ends its' regular season with a record of 24-18 and 10-14 in the conference and, with the single win today, clinched the eighth and final spot in next week's conference tournament.
Game 1 (L 3-0)
The opening game was a pitcher's dual from the very beginning as the two teams combined for just one hit in the first three innings of play. Findlay's first knock came in the top of the fourth, a one-out double by junior Annika Bredel. That double did not turn into anything, however, as Bredel was stranded at second.
Combined for just two hits through four and a half, the game was still tied at 0-0. That changed in the bottom of the fifth inning when the Pioneers' leadoff batter reached on an error by second baseman Keeley Murray. The next batter laid down a sacrifice bunt and another error, this one on pitcher Kayla Dykin, put runners on the corners with no outs. A couple of hits were aided by what ended up being three Findlay errors, putting Malone on top 3-0.
That score would hold as the Oilers suffered the upset defeat.
Dykin took the loss in the circle, falling to 13-3 on the year. She tossed five innings and allowed all three runs, none of which were earned. She struck out four.
Game 2 (W 5-1)
After a short break, the teams returned to the field for a second game and this time, Findlay found it's offense.
A leadoff single by sophomore Anna Jones and home run by Bredel put the Oilers in front 2-0 in the first half inning of the contest. Malone answered with a single run in the bottom half to make the score 2-1.
That score remained into the top of the fourth when UF would strike again. With one out in the inning, freshman Abbi Poths walked and eventually came around to score after back-to-back singles by sophomore Makayla Cook and junior Jenna Poulson.
Leading 3-1 in the seventh, Findlay tacked on two more on RBI singles from Bredel and sophomore Joslynne Frazier.
Senior Emma Jones got the win in the circle to improve to 11-5 on the year. She threw a complete game and allowed just one run on five hits. She struck out 11 which tied her career-high from two seasons ago.
Offensive Leaders
Annika Bredel led the charge at the plate with a 4-for-6 day that included a double, a home run, three RBI, and two runs scored. Anna Jones chipped in with three hits while junior Alexys Antal had two.
Findlay has earned the No. 3 seed in the G-MAC Tournament and will open play against Ashland University on Wednesday, April 30 at 2:30 pm.
