OWENSBORO, KY - The Kentucky Wesleyan Softball team played their hearts out on Sunday, but eventually dropped two games to the Findlay Oilers. Both games were close, as Wesleyan fell 3-0 in the first contest, and 2-1 in an extremely tight nine-inning second game.
Following both games, the Panthers honored seniors
Brooke Brown,
Allie Dunn, and
Shelbi Patterson for their time and dedication to the program.
Game One
The opening game was a battle on the mound, as Findlay's Alexys Antal and Wesleyan's
Allie Dunn both pitched strong games. Dunn (3-7) went the distance for the Panthers, throwing 101 pitches over seven innings of work, giving up just three runs on six hits while striking out seven. Unfortunately for Dunn, Antal allowed just two Wesleyan hits in a complete game victory.
The Panthers managed to load the bases in the bottom of the seventh, but Antal got out of the jam to secure the 3-0 win.
Cam Mann and
Kristyn Murphy each notched a hit for the home side.
Game Two
The Panthers fought hard in the second game before falling 2-1 in extras.
Pitcher
Kristyn Murphy (4-9) notched the best game of her young career, throwing 135 pitches over nine innings of work, all while striking out a career high eight batters and giving up just two runs, of which only one was earned.
The Panthers saw themselves go down 1-0 thanks to an unearned run in the fifth, but quickly answered back in the bottom of the sixth. After an error allowed
Megan Matheis to advance to second base, pinch runner Lauren Pellarito was brought home on an RBI single from
Kristyn Murphy. Neither team scored until the top of the ninth, when Findlay hit a solo home run that would eventually be the difference in the game.
Megan Matheis was 2-for-4 in the game, while
Kristyn Murphy was 1-for-4 with an RBI.
Wesleyan will hit the road this weekend as they travel to Cedarville and Thomas More to close out their season. The Panthers will take on Cedarville on Friday, and Thomas More on Saturday.
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