MCPHERSON, Kan. – The Ottawa University softball team swept McPherson College on Sunday afternoon at Bulldog Park. The Braves won game one, 17-8, and took game two, 3-2.
Game One
Ottawa struck first, taking the lead in the top of the first inning.
Kara Hafenstine singled up the middle and then stole second.
Addison Spencer's fly out to left moved Hafenstine to third and OU had a runner 60 feet from home.
Katie Enneking scored her with a ground out to third and the Braves led 1-0.
Emma Melvin reached first with a single to left.
Mallory Dunn scored her with a home run to left-center, increasing the OU lead to 3-0.
McPherson answered with six runs in the bottom of the first, scoring on four hits and one error by the Braves, to take a 6-3 lead.
The Braves responded with four runs in the top of the fourth.
Macy Roever reached second on an error by the MC third baseman. Hafenstine walked and Spencer walked, loading the bases for the Braves.
Emma Melvin cleared the bases with a grand slam and OU retook the lead, 7-6.
Ottawa increased its lead in the top of the third, scoring its three run with two outs.
Megan Kennedy reached first with a bunt single and then swiped second. Roever walked and Kennedy moved to third on a passed ball. Roever stole second and the Braves had two players in scoring position. OU loaded the bases with a Hafenstine walk. Spencer's single to left-center scored Kennedy and Roever to give the Braves a 9-6 lead. Enneking's single to right scored Hafenstine and the Braves had a 10-6 lead.
McPherson cut into OU's lead with a run in the bottom of the third, 10-7. Ottawa earned that run back plus one more in the top of the fourth.
Melvin walked and moved to second with Davanie Medina's single up the middle. Kennedy scored both with a double to left-center and Ottawa led 12-7.
After a scoreless fifth, Ottawa scored three runs in the top of the sixth. Alex Genty hit an infield single. Kennedy put the ball in play and both runners ended up safely at second and first. Roever's bunt single loaded the bases for the Braves. Hafenstine scored Genty with a sacrifice fly to give OU a 13-7 lead. Spencer singled to left-center, scoring Kennedy and Roever and the Braves had a 15-7 lead.
The Bulldogs scored one run in the bottom of the sixth inning to cut the Brave lead to 15-8. Ottawa scored two more runs in the top of the seventh inning. Dunn led off the inning with a double to center. Medina followed that double with one of her own, scoring Dunn to give the Braves a 16-8 lead. Ottawa scored one more run in the inning. Kennedy's ground out to short stop scored Medina and the Braves had a 17-8 lead.
The Braves held McPherson scoreless in the bottom of the seventh and the Braves took the 17-8 victory.
Inside the Box Score
Game Two
The Braves took the lead in the top of the first inning.
Kara Hafenstine doubled to left field.
Addison Spencer scored her with a single to left and the Braves led 1-0.
Mallory Dunn's sacrifice fly to right scored
Katie Enneking, giving OU a 2-0 lead.
That is where the score stayed until the top of the seventh.
Megan Kennedy led off the inning for OU with a home run to left field, giving the Braves a 3-0 lead.
McPherson tried to rally in the bottom of the seventh. The Bulldogs had two on second and third with two outs. A double by MC's Larrew scored both, cutting OU's lead to 3-2.
Megan Kohl struck out the next Bulldog and the Braves took the 3-2 victory.
Inside the Box Score
Who is Next
Ottawa (12-14, 2-2) returns to the diamond on Wednesday, March 19 against (RV) Evangel University in Springfield, Mo. Game one of the double header is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.
