OTTAWA, Kan. – The Ottawa University softball team won its third straight game with a double header sweep of Southwestern College on Saturday afternoon at Alumni Park. Ottawa won game one, 18-0 and game two, 8-0, both in five innings.
Casson Rasmussen pitched her second perfect game of the season in game one, striking out 10 Moundbuilders. The 18 runs are the most scored by the Braves since March 5, 2021 when OU scored 17 against Langston University.
Game One
Ottawa's offense exploded for nine runs in the bottom of the second inning on seven hits and two errors.
Kelcie Kippes hit a two run home run over the left field fence on a 3-1 count during the inning. The Braves continued to pile on the runs, scoring seven in the bottom of the third on six hits to take a 16-0 lead.
Ottawa extended its lead in the bottom of the fourth. Justyse Rodrguez singled right.
Madison Bunfill singled to left, moving Rodriguez to third. An error by the SWC left fielder scored Rodriguez and Bunfill, giving the Braves an 18-0 lead.
The Braves held Southwestern scoreless in the top of the fifth, taking the 18-0 victory.
Inside the Box Score
Game Two
Ottawa scored two in the bottom of the first to take the early lead.
Riley Newbold reached first after being hit by a pitch. She then stole second, giving OU a runner in scoring position.
Justyse Rodriguez walked and the Braves had runners on first and second.
Allison Kearney was hit by a pitch, loading the bases.
Hannah Copeland walked, scoring Rodriguez and Ottawa led 1-0.
Jillian Kygar's ground out to second, scored Kearney and the Braves had a 2-0 lead.
The Braves increased their lead in the bottom of the second inning, scoring both runs with two outs. Newbold was hit by a pitch in her second straight at bat. Rodriguez tripled to right, scoring Newbold and OU led 3-0. Rodriguez touched home plate on a passed ball, giving the Braves a 4-0 lead.
In the bottom of the fourth, the Braves scored four more runs.
Riley Newbold hit an infield single and then scored on a double to left by Rodriguez to give OU a 5-0 lead. A bunt single by Bunfill moved Rodriguez to third.
Copeland reached base on an error by the SWC center field, scoring both Bunfill and Rodriguez and Ottawa led 7-0. Kygar followed that with a single to right, scoring Copeland and the Braves took the lead and the game, 8-0.
Inside the Box Score
Who is Next
Ottawa (19-8-1, 9-1) returns to the diamond on Wednesday, April 6 against Oklahoma Wesleyan University in Bartlesville, Okla. Game one of the double header is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.
