OTTAWA, Kan. – (RV) Ottawa University leaned on strong pitching and timely hitting to take game one, splitting a tight doubleheader with Friends on Saturday at Alumni Park.
Game 1: Ottawa 2, Friends 1
Ottawa scratched across just enough offense and rode a dominant performance in the circle to secure a 2-1 victory in the opener.
The Braves struck immediately in the bottom of the first inning when
Abby Bellamy launched a solo home run to give Ottawa an early 1-0 lead. Friends answered in the fourth with an RBI double to tie the game, but Ottawa responded in the fifth.
Devanie Medina reached on an error and came around to score on a clutch RBI double from
Tori Farnham, which proved to be the game-winner.
Lanie Becker was outstanding in the circle, limiting Friends to just one run on three hits over seven innings while working out of multiple jams to preserve the win.
Stats Recap:
- Abby Bellamy: 1-3, HR, RBI, run scored
- Tori Farnham: 1-2, 2B, RBI
- Lanie Becker (W): 7.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 2 K
- Ottawa: 2 runs on 2 hits, 0 errors
- Friends held to just 3 hits in the game
Game 2: Friends 2, Ottawa 0
Game two turned into another pitching battle.
Friends broke through in the fourth inning, stringing together three hits, capped by a two-RBI single to take a 2-0 lead. Ottawa threatened in the third and sixth innings, putting runners on base, but could not deliver the big hit.
Cassi Rodgers tossed a complete game for the Braves, allowing just two runs while battling throughout, but the offense was limited to only two hits on the afternoon.
Stats Recap:
- Abby Bellamy: 1-3, 2B
- Cassi Rodgers (L): 7.0 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 6 K
- Ottawa: 2 hits, 4 walks, left 5 on base
- Friends recorded 8 hits, with 2 RBI from Raeleen Hernandez
Who is Next
Ottawa (19-12, 7-3) returns to the diamond on Wednesday, April 2 in Winfield, Kan. against Southwestern College. Game one of the double header is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.
