OWENSBORO, Ky. – The Kentucky Wesleyan College softball team celebrated senior day in style on Saturday, posting a pair of victories over Ohio Valley University. The Panthers blanked the Fighting Scots 8-0 in game one before a comeback victory in game two, 6-4.
Game 1: OVU 0 – KWC 8 (5 innings)
Wesleyan wasted no time establishing a strong lead, scoring four runs in the bottom of the first. Maddie Dawson drove in Meredith Daunhauer with a double to left center before Delaney Mixer blasted a two-out three-run home run.
The Panthers tacked on two more runs in the bottom of the seoncd with Daunhauer tabbing a RBI single to score Mallory Nease. With the bases loaded, Lexie Mullen reached on a fielder's choice but was able to drive in Kaitie Woolard to extend the lead to 6-0.
The third inning saw the Panthers final two runs cross the plate thanks to a two-run home run from Nease.
Maci Brown went the distance in her fifth win of the season, striking out two and allowing four hits over 5.0 innings.
Woolard finished game one two-for-two at the plate while Daunhauer and Mixer both went two-for-three.
Game 2: OVU 4 – KWC 6
The Panthers struck first again in game two after Nease drove in Mixer on a double to centerfield in the second.
Ohio Valley responded in the top of the fifth, stringing together three hits to plate two runs and take a 2-1 lead, their first lead of the day.
The lead was short lived as Mixer tabbed a RBI single in the bottom of the frame, scoring Lacie Mills and knotting the game at two.
The Panthers broke open the game in the sixth, plating four runs off of three hits. Daunhauer laid down a single in center, scoring Micaela Polivick. With two on and two out, Lexie Mullen knocked a home run to left field, putting Wesleyan ahead 6-2.
The Fighting Scots got two runs back in the top of the seventh but the come back was too little, too late.
Nease finished three-for-three at the plate in game two while Daunhauer, Mixer and Jamie Tempel each recorded two hits.
Autumn Grady posted her fourth win of the season, throwing 7.0 innings with seven strikeouts, no walks, eleven hits and four runs.
The Panthers hit the road next weekend, heading to the University of Findlay on Friday followed by Cedarville University on Saturday.
Stay up to date on all your Panther news by following @KWCpanthers on Twitter and by liking the "Kentucky Wesleyan College Athletics" Facebook page.
