FINDLAY, Ohio – The Kentucky Wesleyan College softball team battled the cold on Friday, suffering a pair of losses to the University of Findlay in Great Midwest Athletic Conference action. The Panthers now sit at 18-12 on the season and 11-9 in conference play while the Oilers improve to 21-19 overall and 11-9 in the G-MAC.
Game 1: KWC 4 – UF 7
The Oilers struck first in game one, taking a 4-0 lead after scoring three runs in the first inning. The Panthers clawed back, scoring four runs over the fourth, fifth and sixth inning to even the game at four.
Lexie Mullen started the rally in the fourth with a lead off home run. With one out and two runners on, Andee Powell lined a single to left field, scoring Lacie Mills from second base.
The fifth inning saw Mullen's second home run of the game, a two-out solo shot to left center for her team leading eighth home run of the season.
Wesleyan knotted the game in the top of the sixth after Terrilynn Summers tabbed a one-out single. Summers stole second and reached third on a groundout before scoring on an infield single from Jamie Tempel.
The Oilers responded with three hits in the bottom of the inning, scoring three runs and taking game one 7-4.
Evyn Hendrickson took the loss, going 1.2 innings with three runs off of three hits. Autumn Grady threw the first 2.0 innings, allowing five hits and four runs. Maci Brown held the Oilers scoreless in 2.1 innings with two hits.
Mullen and Summers both recorded two hits in game one while Tempel tabbed two.
Game 2: KWC 9 – UF 12
The Panthers didn't waste any time getting on the board in game two, scoring a pair of runs in the top of the first on a two-run home run from Jaylin Tidwell.
Findlay took the lead back in the bottom of the frame, plating six runs off of six hits to go ahead 6-2.
Wesleyan fought back once again, scoring two runs in both the second and third to knot the game at six. With two on and two outs, Maddie Dawson tucked a line drive down the right field line, driving in both runners for a triple.
The Panthers put together another two-out rally in the third, with Andee Powell starting it off with a single to center, moving Jaclyn Parker into scoring position. Jamie Tempel laid down a single in right field, driving in Parker and putting Powell on third. Tempel stole second with Daunhauer at bat, allowing Powell to score on the throw.
After a scoreless fourth, both teams scored three in the fifth to keep it tied at nine. Tempel and Dawson both recorded RBI singles. Dawson stole second with two outs, allowing Daunhauer to score from third.
The Oilers nearly hit for the cycle in the fifth, hitting a double, single and triple to plate three runs. Findlay scored the game-winning run in the sixth on a two-out, three-run home run.
Hendrickson suffered the loss in game two, throwing 1.0 innings with three runs off of three hits. Bailey Woodall went 5.0 to start, striking out five and allowing nine runs off of 11 hits.
Parker finished game two three-for-three at the plate with three runs scored. Dawson, Powell and Tempel each recorded two hits.
The Panthers continue action this weekend on Saturday, taking on the Yellow Jackets of Cedarville University.
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