OWENSBORO, Ky. – The Kentucky Wesleyan College softball team split with Great Midwest Athletic Conference newcomer Lake Erie College on Saturday, defeating the Storm 6-4 in game one before falling 3-1 in game two. It was a record breaking day for junior Meredith Daunhauer as she became the career hits leader at Kentucky Wesleyan with 214 hits.
Game 1: Lake Erie 4 – KWC 6
The Panthers struck first in the first inning, taking a one run lead on a RBI groundout from Jaylin Tidwell. In the bottom of the third, Wesleyan extended its lead to 4-0 with Tidwell driving in another run with a single to left field. With two on and two out, Courtney Lockwood dug in and lined a double to left center, driving in two to give the Panthers a 4-0 lead.
Lake Erie responded with three runs in top of the fourth to make it a one run game.
Daunhauer led off the bottom of the fifth with a bunt single to make her mark in the record book as the career hits leader. The junior stole second and was driven home on a single from Maddie Dawson. Three batters later, Lockwood drove in Dawson with a single to right field, putting the Panthers up 6-3 with two innings to play.
A sacrifice fly for the Storm cut the deficit to two runs in the top of the sixth. Lake Erie threatened with a double in the top of the seventh but the Panthers were able to hold on for the win.
Lockwood and Daunhauer both went two-for-three at the plate with Lockwood driving in three runs and Daunhauer scoring three. Dawson, Tidwell, Abbey Winstead and Jamie Tempel all tallied one hit.
Maci Brown threw a complete game in her fifth win of the season, striking out five while not allowing any walks.
Game 2: Lake Erie 3 – KWC 1
Game two started as pitchers duel with both team combining for four hits over the first three innings. The Storm took their first lead of the day after scoring one run in both the fourth and fifth innings.
It was déjà vu in the bottom of the fifth for Daunhauer as she led off with a single and stole second to move into scoring position. Dawson singled thru the left side to move Daunhauer to third with no outs. Daunhauer scored the Panthers lone run, taking advantage of a wild pitch.
Lake Erie scored their third and final run in the top of the sixth to take a 3-1 lead. The Panthers were unable to respond in the final two frames as they tabbed just two hits.
Daunhauer and Dawson both went two-for-four in game two while Lexie Mullen and Winstead recorded one hit a piece.
Autumn Grady suffered his sixth loss of the season after throwing a complete game, allowing 3 runs off of three hits.
The Panthers return to action on Monday hosting Bellarmine University in a non-conference doubleheader slated for a 1 pm CT start.
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