Lebanon, Ill.- The University of Findlay softball team's season came to a close on Friday, May 15 as the Oilers were eliminated from the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional #2. Needing a win to stay alive, Findlay fell 5-4 to the seventh-seeded Rockhurst University Hawks. The Oilers conclude the season with a 39-14 record, while Rockhurst improves to 36-20 and advances in the tournament.
The Oilers struck first, building an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Senior Annika Bredel drew a walk before sophomore Meghan Heinsman singled to center field, moving Bredel to third. A pair of wild pitches then allowed both runners to score, giving Findlay the early advantage.
Findlay extended its lead in the top of the third inning as sophomore Kenzie Woods delivered an RBI double to push the Oilers ahead 3-0.
Rockhurst responded in the bottom of the third with two runs before junior
Anna Jones lifted a sacrifice fly to center field, extending Findlay's lead to 4-2. The Hawks then plated three runs in the sixth to take a 5-4 lead and seize control of the game.
With the game hanging in the balance in the top of the seventh, Findlay was unable to push across the tying run and fell just short, dropping a 5-4 decision.
This marks the softball program's second straight appearance in the NCAA Softball Championship. The Oilers close the season as the winningest team in program history with 39 victories, while also setting program records in runs scored, hits, RBIs, doubles, total bases, and putouts. They also became the first Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) Tournament champions in program history.
Â
