OTTAWA, Kan. – The Ottawa University softball team continued with its winning ways, sweeping the University of Saint Mary 9-1 in five innings in game one and 6-2 in game two at Alumni Park on Saturday afternoon. The Braves have won 14 straight games and 10 straight KCAC games.
Game One
Ottawa struck first, taking the lead in the bottom of the first inning.
Katie Enneking walked and then moved to second on a single to left by
Allison Kearney.
Madison Bunfill hit a three run home run, giving OU a 3-0 lead.
Emma Melvin kept the inning going with a double to right. Nayely followed that with a double to center, scoring Melvin and OU led 4-0.
The score stayed that way until the fourth inning. The Spires cut into the Brave lead with a run in the top of the fourth, 4-1. Ottawa responded with five runs in its bottom half of the inning.
Cierra Faubion led the inning off with a single to left.
Macey Morris was hit by a pitch and OU had runners on first and second. A wild pitch moved both runners into scoring position. Another wild pitch walked
Riley Newbold. Faubion scored on that pitch and Morris moved to third. The throw by the USM catcher to the pitcher, trying to get Faubion out was wild and Morris scored to increase the OU lead to 6-1.
Madison Bunfill doubled to left, scoring Newbold and OU had a 7-1 lead. Enneking cross home plate on a fielder's choice and the Braves had an 8-1 lead. OU scored its final run of the inning with Delgado's single to left. That hit scored Bunfill and Ottawa led 9-1.
Saint Mary was able to get its lead off on base in the top of the fifth but a strike out and two ground outs gave OU the 9-1 victory.
Inside the Box Score
- Nayeley Delgado and Madison Bunfill had two hits apiece. Bunfill had four RBI and Delgado finished with two RBI.
- Ashlynn Mercer earned her 11th victory of the season, striking out three and only allowing four hits in the win.
Game Two
Saint Mary took the lead in the top of the first inning, 1-0. Ottawa tied the game in the bottom of the first.
Riley Newbold reached first with a single to left. Two wild pitches moved Newbold around the diamond and a third wild pitch scored Newbold to tie the game, 1-1.
The Spires retook the lead in the top of the third, 2-1. Ottawa answered in the bottom of the fourth inning.
Madison Bunfill was hit by a pitch.
Hannah Copeland scored Bunfill with a home run over the center field fence and the Braves had a 3-2 lead.
Kelcie Kippes tripled to center and
Emma Ryan doubled to center, scoring Kippes to give OU a 4-2 lead. A sacrifice bunt by
Macey Morris moved Ryan to third. The Spire pitcher hit both Newbold and
Katie Enneking to load the bases for the Braves.
Allison Kearney walked, scoring Ryan to increase the OU lead to 5-2. Bunfill walked as well, scoring Newbold and OU had a 6-2 lead.
The OU defense only allow one Spire to reach base in the final three innings of the game and the Braves took the 6-2 victory.
Inside the Box Score
- Kelcie Kippes went 2-for-3 at the plate, scoring one run.
- Hannah Copeland led OU with two RBI.
- Kippes pitched five innings to earn her 11th victory of the season.
- Loralei Gilbert pitched the final two innings, not allowing a hit.
Who is Next
Ottawa (27-4, 10-0) returns to the diamond on Wednesday, April 5 against nationally ranked Oklahoma Wesleyan University at Alumni Park. Game one of the double header is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.
