GREAT BEND, Kan. – The (14) Ottawa University softball team opened the KCAC Tournament with a 7-3 victory over York University on Wednesday afternoon.

Ottawa took the lead in the bottom of the second inning. Singles by Madison Bunfill and Emma Melvin gave the Braves runners on first and second. A wild pitch moved both Bunfill and Melvin into scoring position. Aliks Serna singled to center, scoring Bunfill to give the Braves a 1-0 lead. Cierra Faubion followed that single with one of her own, scoring Melvin to give OU a 2-0 lead.

The Panthers answered in the top of the third inning with three runs to take a 3-2 lead over OU. In the bottom of the fourth, Ottawa tied the game. Faubion drove in another run, scoring Aliks Serna with a single to left and the contest was tied 3-3.

The Braves retook the lead in the bottom of the fifth. Katie Enneking walked and then moved to second on a wild pitch. Kearny walked and OU had runners on first and second. Melvin doubled to right, scoring Enneking and Kearney to give the Braves a 5-3 lead.

Ottawa pushed two more runs across home plate in the bottom of the sixth. Enneking bunted, scoring Morris to give the Braves a 6-3 lead. Allison Kearney then scored Riley Newbold with a sacrifice fly to left and Ottawa led 7-3.

In the top of the seventh, York had two reach safely.  Loralei Gilbert entered the game and closed the door on York to give Ottawa the 7-3 victory.

Inside the Box Score

• Cierra Faubion went 3-for-3 at the plate with two RBI.
• Emma Melvin finished the game with two hits in two at bats with two RBI and one run scored.
• Ashlynn Mercer earned her 20^th victory of the season, striking out seven.
• Loralei Gilbert earned the save.

Who is Next
Ottawa will now play the winner of the Bethany/Avila contest at 5:00 p.m.