OTTAWA, Kan. – The (17) Ottawa University softball team split with (RV) Oklahoma Wesleyan University on Wednesday afternoon at Alumni Park. The Braves won game one, 8-4 but fell 3-2 in game two. The loss is OU's first in KCAC play and the Braves have a 1.5 game lead over second place Avila University.
Game One
Oklahoma Wesleyan struck first, taking the lead in the top of the first inning, 1-0. Ottawa responded in its bottom half of the inning. With
Katie Enneking on first,
Allison Kearney hit her fifth home run of the season and Ottawa had a 2-1 lead.
The Braves extended their lead in the bottom of the second inning.
Aliks Serna led off the Braves with a walk. A sacrifice bunt by
Cierra Faubion moved Serna to second.
Riley Newbold walked and OU had runners on first and second. Enneking came through with runners in scoring position, she hit a triple to right and scored both Serna and Newbold to give OU a 4-1 lead. Ottawa scored one more run in the inning. A wild pitch scored Enneking from third and OU led 5-1.
In the bottom of the third, Ottawa pushed another run across home plate.
Nayely Delgado singled to left, leading to a OKWU pitching change. Serna's ground out moved Delgado into scoring position at second base.
Macey Morris singled to right, scoring Delgado and the Braves had a 6-1 lead.
The Eagles cut into the Brave lead in the top of the fourth inning with three runs, 6-4. In the bottom of the fifth, Ottawa was able to increase its lead over OKWU.
Delgado walked and then moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Serna.
Macey Morris reached first on a fielder's choice and then stole second. Newbold singled to center, scoring both Delgado and Morris to give the Braves an 8-4 lead.
The OU defense only allowed two Eagle base runners in the final two innings of play and the Braves took the 8-4 victory.
Inside the Box Score
Game Two
Ottawa broke the 0-0 tie in the bottom of the third inning.
Emma Ryan led off the inning with a single to center.
Macey Morris sacrificed Ryan over and OU had a runner in scoring position. Newbold's single to left scored Ryan and the Braves had a 1-0 lead.
Oklahoma Wesleyan tied the game with a run in the top of the fourth and then took the lead in the top of the fifth with two more, 3-1.
The Braves cut into the Eagle lead in the bottom of the sixth.
Madison Bunfill reached first on a walk.
Kara Hafenstine's walk, moved Bunfill to second.
Kelcie Kippes singled to left, scoring Bunfill and Ottawa was within 3-2.
In the bottom of the seventh,
Allison Kearney singled to left to give OU chance at a two out rally. The Braves were not able to score her to extend the game and OKWU took the 3-2 victory.
Inside the Box Score
- Four Braves finished the game with one hit apiece.
- Kelcie Kippes pitched 4.2 innings, striking out two.
- Loralei Gilbert pitched the final 2.1 innings, striking out four and only allowing one hit.
Who is Next
Ottawa (28-5, 11-1) is back on the road on Saturday, April 8 in Winfield, Kan. against Southwestern College. Game one of the double header is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
