MCPHERSON, Kan. – The (17) Ottawa University softball team swept McPherson College on Sunday afternoon at Bulldog Park. The Braves won game one, 6-1 and two game two, 11-1 in six innings. The victories keeps the Braves (16-2) a game ahead of second place Friend University (15-3) and two games in front of third place Oklahoma Wesleyan University (14-4).

Game One
The Braves took the early lead in the top of the first inning. Riley Newbold walked and advanced to third on a ground out to third by Katie Enneking. Allison Kearney walked, giving OU runners at third and first. Newbold and Kearney executed a double steal, giving the Braves a 1-0 lead.

In the top of the third, Ottawa increased its lead over the Bulldogs. Macey Morris led off the inning with a single to center. She then stole second and moved to third on an error by the MC short stop. A wild pitch scored Morris and Ottawa led 2-0.

OU scored another run in the top of the fourth. Nayely Delgado scored on an infield single by Cierra Faubion and the Braves had a 3-0 lead.

The Braves extended its lead over the Bulldogs in the top of the sixth. Madison Bunfill doubled to left and then stole third. Delgado's sacrifice fly to left scored Bunill and OU led 4-0.

Ottawa scored two more runs in the top of the seventh with two outs. Newbold singled to left. Enneking reached first on an error by the Bulldog third baseman, moving Newbold to second. Allison Kearny followed that with a single to right, scoring Newbold to give the Braves a 5-0 lead. Bunfill reached first on an error by the MC left fielder and Enneking crossed home plate, giving OU a 6-0 lead.

McPherson tried to rally in bottom of the seventh, scoring a run. Ashlynn Mercer got the final out with a strike out, her 11^th of the game, to give OU a 6-1 victory.

Inside the Box Score

• The Braves had seven hits by seven players.
• Ashleynn Mercer pitched seven innings, striking out 11 to earn her 14^th victory of the season.

Game Two
Ottawa scored first, pushing two runs across home plate in the top of the second inning. Madison Bunfill hit an infield single. Hannah Copeland reached first on an error by the Bulldog short stop, moving Bunfill to second. Emma Melvin then loaded the bases with a walk. Kelcie Kippes singled to left, scoring Bunfill to give the Braves a 1-0 lead. Emma Ryan grounded out to third but scored Copeland and Ottawa had a 2-0 lead.

McPherson cut into the Brave lead with a run in the bottom of the second, 2-1. After a scoreless third inning, the OU offense scored six runs in the top of the fourth. Melvin led off the fourth with a home run, giving Ottawa a 3-1 lead. Kippes walked and then moved to second on single by Macey Morris. Katie Enneking singled to center, scoring Kippes and the Braves had a 4-1 lead.

Allison Kearney followed that with a single of her own, scoring Morris and Ottawa led 5-1. After a Bulldog pitching change, Bunfill sent the ball over the fence for a three run shot and Ottawa had an 8-1 lead.

In the top of the sixth inning, the Braves scored three more runs. Back-to-back walks by Newbold and Enneking gave OU runners on first and second. Kearney moved them to second and third with a groundout to second. Bunfill connected on her second home run of the day, giving the Braves the lead and the game, 11-1.

Inside the Box Score

• Madison Bunfill went 3-for-4 at the plate, driving in six runs, scoring three, and hitting two home runs. Her two home runs tied the school record for home runs hit in a season with 11. That record was set by Elisa Valenzuela in 2015.
• Macey Morris and Katie Enneking had two hits apiece.
• Kelcie Kippes pitched six innings, earning her 12^th victory of the season. She struck out three.

Who is Next
Ottawa (33-6, 16-2) returns to the diamond on Wednesday, April 19 at Alumni Park against Bethany College. Game one of the double header is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.