WILMINGTON, Ohio – Hanover College scored a combined 11 runs in the third inning of both games to defeat the Wilmington College softball team 10-0 in five innings in game one and 7-2 in game two on Thursday afternoon.
In game one, the Panthers plated a run in the second inning, but Hanover's offense batted around in the top of the third and scored six runs on six hits. After a one-two-three inning for the Panthers in the bottom of the third, three runs in the top of the fourth put the game out of reach.
Lily Beurman earned the shutout victory allowing three hits and striking out five. Grace Shell took the loss allowing 10 earned runs on 10 hits in three innings. Hunter Salyers pitched two perfect innings in relief.
Alecia Kemp, Allison Pierce and Mariyah Burkhardt all had singles from Wilmington. Sidney Powers and Carlie Roark both finished 2-for-4 with four RBIs for the Panthers.
In game two, Megan Crager led off the bottom of the first inning with a solo home run to left center field, the first home run of her collegiate career. Unfortunately for the Quakers, the third inning proved pivotal once again as Hanover struck for five unearned runs on four hits.
Crager cut the hosts deficit to 5-2 in the bottom of the fourth with her second RBI-hit of the game, a triple to right field. Wilmington could not drive in Crager as a strikeout and a groundout ended the inning.
Hanover got the run back in the top of the fifth on two singles and stretched the lead to 7-2 with another run in the sixth.
Sydney Griffin earned the complete-game victory over Hanover allowing one earned run on seven hits with 11 strikeouts. Beth Persicano dipped to 6-10 on the season despite allowing just one earned run in seven innings.
Crager finished 2-for4 with two both of the Quakers' RBIs while Burkhard added a 2-for-3 performance.
McKenzie Writt led Hanover going 3-for-4 with two RBIs and a run scored.
Wilmington (13-17) concludes Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) at Heidelberg University on Saturday. First pitch in the doubleheader at 1 p.m.
