WILMINGTON, Ohio – The Wilmington College softball team got back to winning ways with a sweep of Miami University-Hamilton on Thursday, taking game one 16-8 in six innings and claiming the nightcap 8-2, which was also six innings due to darkness.
In game one, the Quakers had to overcome a poor inning early. After taking a 3-0 lead on a two-RBI single from Lindsey Carter and a Harrier error, Miami-Hamilton blew the game open with eight runs on six hits and two errors. In total, the visitors sent 13 to the plate, and it took three WC pitchers – Makenzie O'Neil, Avree Entler and Aiyana Hancock – to get through the frame.
Entler, who gave up four unearned runs on five hits on the mound, made amends with a single to left field scoring Samantha Schwab in the bottom of the third. Though a double play prevented any further damage, Hancock struck out the side in the top of the fourth to setup the Quaker offense in the bottom half of the inning. Two quick outs started the frame, but the hosts mounted a rally as Cassidy Luttrell doubled to left and Julian singled to left. Lindsey Carter and McKenna Archey both hit RBI-singles with a Harrier error in between. In total, Wilmington scored four runs to tie the game 8-8 after four complete innings.
In the bottom of the fifth, Miami-Hamilton starting pitcher Hannah Miller walked the bases loaded, and although the Quakers didn't register a hit, a fielder's choice combined with a Harrier error plated two runs. A 1-2-3 top of the sixth followed, and Wilmington ended the game in the bottom half by plating six runs on four hits.
Hancock improved to 2-0 on the season with six strikeouts in 4.1 innings and allowing just three hits. Hannah Miller took the loss for Miami-Hamilton by allowing 12 earned runs on as many hits with seven walks in five innings.
Archey finished 3-for-4 with an RBI while Carter drove in three runs on two hits. Entler was the other Quaker to have a multi-hit game, going 2-for-4 a single run driven in. Regan Butikofer, Elicia Franklin and Hannah Miller all had two hits for the Harriers.
The nightcap began with a scoreless inning from both teams, but the top of Wilmington's lineup delivered in the bottom of the second as Judaea Wilson and Logann Julian hit RBI singles to the opposite field with two outs. Miami-Hamilton tied the game with two runs on four hits in the top of the third, but the hosts got them right back as Cassidy Luttrell doubled home Schwab and Olivia Doll singled to center scoring Luttrell in the bottom of the inning.
A scoreless fourth inning for both sides followed, and the Quakers put the game away with a four-run bottom of the fifth that included RBI-singles from Wilson and Riley Truesdale. Alexis Stringfellow, who relieved starter Hillary Huffer in the third, shut the door with a 1-2-3 sixth.
Stringfellow struck out six batters in 3.2 innings and allowed just four base runners on three hits and a walk. Brooke Miller pitched the five full innings for the Harriers and allowed six earned runs on 11 hits with six walks and three strikeouts.
Offensively, Wilson finished 2-for-4 with three RBIs while Luttrell was 2-for-3 with two doubles. Schwab and Claire Scully also had two-hit games for WC. For Miami-Hamilton, Hannah Miller went 3-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored in defeat.
Wilmington (13-17) will host the University of Mount Union in an Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) series beginning at 1 p.m.
