PARKVILLE, Mo. – The (20) Ottawa University softball team took two from non-conference opponent, Park University, on Wednesday afternoon. Ottawa won game one in eight innings, 6-4, and took game two, 6-4. The double header sweep moves OU's winning streak to 12 games.
Game One
Park struck first, breaking the scoreless tie in the bottom of the third with a three run home run to take the lead. The Pirates increased their lead over OU with a run in the bottom of the fourth, 4-0.
Ottawa chipped away at the Park lead in the top of the fifth.
Nayely Delgado led off OU with a walk.
Aliks Serna singled up the middle, moving Delgado to second.
Macey Morris hit a single to center, loading the bases for the Braves.
Riley Newbold was then hit by a pitch and Delgado scored to cut the deficit to 4-1.
Katie Enneking put the ball in play, scoring Serna on a fielder's choice and OU was within 4-2 of the Pirates.
In the top of the sixth, the Braves tied the game.
Madison Bunfill doubled to center and
Emma Melvin reached first on a fielder's choice. An error by the Park shortstop allowed Delgado to reach first, loading the bases. Serna came through with runners in scoring position, hitting a single up the middle to tie the game at 4-4.
Neither team was able to score in the seventh and the game went into extra innings. In the top of the eighth the Braves scored two runs to take a 6-4 lead over Park. It was three up and three down for OU in the bottom of the eighth as OU took the 6-4 victory.
Game Two
The Braves took the early lead in the top of the first inning.
Katie Enneking reached first on an infield single and stole second.
Madison Bunfill hit a home run over the left field fence, scoring Enneking to give the Braves a 2-0 lead.
Park responded with a two run home run in the bottom of the first to tie the game, 2-2. The Pirates took its first lead of the game in the bottom of the third with a run, 3-2. After a scoreless fourth and fifth innings, Ottawa retook the lead in the top of the sixth.
Madison Bunfill reached first on a fielder's choice.
Hannah Copeland singled down the left field line, moving Bunfill to second. Bunfill then moved to third on an error by the Park short stop. A walk by
Emma Melvin loaded the bases for the Braves.
Kara Hafenstine hit a pinch hit grand slam, her first varsity home run, to give OU a 6-3 lead. Park tried to rally in its final two at bats. The Pirates cut OU's lead to 6-4 with a run in the bottom of the sixth. In the seventh, it was ground out, pop out and ground out for the Braves as they took the 6-4 victory.
Inside the Box Score
- Ottawa had five players with one hit apiece.
- Kara Hafenstine had a pinch hit grand slam, leading OU with four RBI.
- Kelcie Kippes pitched three innings, striking out one.
- Loralei Gilbert earned her fourth win of the season, pitching four innings and striking out one.
Who is Next
Ottawa (25-4, 8-0) returns to Alumni Park on Saturday, April 1 to host the University of Saint Mary. Game one of the double header is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
