On a beautiful Saturday afternoon in Westerville, the Otterbein Lady Cardinal softball team split a crucial double header with OAC foe, Muskingum. After the split, Otterbein and Muskingum find themselves in a three-way tie for fourth place in the OAC with John Carroll. Only one series remains for the three teams to determine who makes the OAC playoff.
In game one, the Lady Cardinals jumped out to a quick lead with a run in the first inning, driven in by freshman Megan Garner. The score would remain 1-0 until the sixth inning when Otterbein scored a trio of runs behind the hitting of freshman Rachael Owens and sophomores Chey Rowe and Kennedy Daly. The 4-0 lead would hold up under the masterful pitching performance by Owens. She through a complete game, shutting out the Muskies on eight hits, striking out two and walking none.
Game two had a similar feel to it, but for the visiting team. Muskingum tallied a run in the first inning on a passed ball. The Muskies proceeded to add a run in the second and third innings, while the Cardinals scored a run on a single from sophomore Tayler Sbrocco. Muskingum put the game out of reach with a two-run home run in the sixth inning, extending their lead to four at 5-1. The score would hold as the Cardinals were unable to rally in the seventh inning.
Speaking on the tall task of recording at least a split with conference-leading Heidelberg next weekend to have a chance to make the playoffs, coach Christine Steines said "We're not going to change our approach, we stick to the plan and we will be successful." With a double-header against non-conference opponent Wittenberg looming on Thursday, Steines does not plan to take it easy in preparation for Heidelberg. "You can get hurt at any time, the best way to get experience and to prepare is by playing the games," Steines said.
The Lady Cards will look to clinch a spot in the OAC playoffs next Saturday at Heidleberg. Otterbein currently sits at 13-17 and 9-7 in the OAC while the Student Princes are 25-5 and 14-2 in the OAC. Muskingum will play Marietta and John Carroll will play Baldwin Wallace.
