WICHITA, Kan. – The (17) Ottawa University softball team defeated Saint Ambrose University, 9-6, but was defeated by Cottey College, 5-2 on day one of the Friends University Tournament.

Saint Ambrose, W, 9-6

SAU scored two runs in the top of the first to take the early lead over the Braves. Ottawa answered with two of their own in the bottom of the first. Addison Spencer singled to center. Katie Enneking hit her first home run of the season, scoring Spencer and the game was tied 2-2.

The Fighting Bees retook the lead in the top of the third inning with three runs. Ottawa answered with four runs in the bottom of the third. Spencer singled to left and just like the first, Enneking scored her with a home run and the Braves trailed 5-4. Kara Hafenstine followed that her first home run of the season, tying the game at 5-5. After a pitching change, the Reagan Hammons hit OU's third straight home run, giving OU a 6-5 lead.

The Braves extended their lead with a run in the bottom of the fourth. Macey Morris reached first due to a SAU error. Spencer reached first on an error by the Saint Ambrose first baseman and the Braes led 7-5.

Saint Ambrose cut into the Brave lead with a run in the top of the fifth, 7-6. Hafenstine hit her second home run of the game, giving OU an 8-6 lead. CaiLyn Nye, pinch running for Emma Melvin scored on a single to left by Kennedy and the Braves had a 9-6 lead.

The Brave defense quieted the Fighting Bee bats in the sixth and seventh innings and the Braves took the 9-6 victory.

Inside the Box Score

• Kara Hafenstine, Katie Enneking, and Addison Spencer had two hits apiece. Enneking and Hafenstine had two home runs apiece. Reagan Hammons hit one home run.
• Enneking led OU with four RBI.
• Ashlynn Mercer earned her seventh win of the season, striking out one in 5.2 innings.
• Loralei Gilbert recorded her fourth save of the season.

Cottey College L, 5-2

Cottey took the early lead with a run in the top of the first inning. Ottawa tied the game in the bottom of the second. Nayely Delgado walked and then advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Megan Kennedy. Rachel Pederson singled to center, scoring Delgado and the game was tied, 1-1.

The Comets retook the lead with four runs in the top of the third, 5-1. Ottawa cut into the Cottey lead in the bottom of the fourth. Reagan Hammons led off the inning with her fifth home run of the season and the Braves trailed, 5-2.

The Braves were not able to rally in their final three at bats and the Comets took the 5-2 victory.

Inside the Box Score

• Kara Hafenstine went 2-for-5 at the plate.
• Rachel Pederson and Reagan Hamons had one RBI apiece.
• Takiya Hill pitched seven innings in the loss, striking out four.

Who is Next
Ottawa (14-6) will play Southwestern Christian College at 10:00 a.m. and (10) Midland University at 12:30 p.m. to finish the Friends Tournament on Saturday, March 2 in Wichita, Kan.