LINDSBORG, Kan. – The Ottawa University softball team split with Bethany College on Monday afternoon at the Swede Softball Complex. OU won game 1, 9-1, in five innings but fell 4-3 in game two.

Game One
Ottawa took the early lead in the top of the first inning. Riley Newbold reached first after being hit by a pitch. Allison Kearney walked, moving Newbold to second. Madison Bunfill scored Newbold with a double down the left field line and Ottawa led 1-0.

The Braves extended their lead over the Swedes in the top of the third inning. Justyse Rodriguez led the inning off with a single to left. Kearney doubled to left, moving Rodriguez to third. Bunfill earned three more RBI with a home run, giving the Braves a 4-0 lead. Kelcie Kippes singled to left and then moved to second after an Emily Kvasnicka walked. Cierra Faubion singled to left, scoring Kippes and the Braves had a 5-0 lead.

In the top of the fourth, Ottawa scored four more runs. Bunfill reached first on an error by the BC second baseman. Hannah Copeland singled to left, moving Bunfill to second. Kippes scored both with a three run shot and the Braves led 8-0. Faubion hit another RBI single, scoring Kvasnicka and the Braves had a 9-0 lead.

In the bottom of the fifth, with two outs, Bethany hit a home run, cutting OU's lead to 9-1. Casson Rasmussen struck out the next batter, looking, and Ottawa took the 9-1 victory.

Inside the Box Score

• Hannah Copeland went 3-for-4 at the plate, scoring one run.
• Madison Bunfill scored two runs and drove in four.
• Casson Rasmussen pitched five innings, striking out six and only allowing one hit.

Game Two
Bethany struck first, taking a 2-0 lead over the Braves in the bottom of the second inning. Ottawa cut into the Swede lead in the top of the sixth. Riley Newbold singled to left. Justyse Rodriguez singled up the middle, moving Newbold to second.

Allison Kearney moved Newbold to third and Rodriguez to second with a sacrifice bunt. Madison Bunfill scored Newbold with a ground out to the pitcher and Ottawa was within 2-1.

In the top of the seventh, Ottawa rallied. Jillian Kygar reached first after being hit by a pitch, bringing in Macey Morris as a pinch runner. Aliks Serna singled to left, moving Morris to second. Kelcie Kippes fielder's choice moved Morris to third. Cierra Faubion hit a sacrifice fly to left, scoring Morris and the game was tied 2-2. Ottawa took its first lead of the game on the next at bat. Newbold singled to center, scoring Kippes to give the Braves a 3-2 lead.

Bethany responded in the bottom of the seventh with two runs to take the 4-3 victory.
Inside the Box Score

• Riley Newbold had three hits in four at bats, driving in one run and scoring another.
• Amber Flummerfelt pitched 6.1 innings, striking out seven.

Who is Next
Ottawa (23-10-1) will play a non-conference double header against Haskell Indian Nations University on Wednesday, April 13 in Lawrence, Kan. Game one is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.