UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, Ohio - The Wilmington College softball team wrapped up its 2023 season with an Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) split at John Carroll University on Sunday. The Quakers took game one 2-1 in eight innings while the Blue Streaks won the nightcap 7-1.
The Blue Streaks struck first in game one as the hosts got runners into scoring position in each of the first three innings. Quaker starter Aiyana Hancock was able to strand three runners in the first and one in the second, but a lead-off walk came around to score in the third as Nina Scavelli singled to center field with two outs.
Lindsey Carter, who celebrated Senior Day yesterday (Saturday), tied the game up in the fourth with a lead-off home run to left field. The Quakers also threatened to score in the fifth and seventh innings, but failed to do so as a double play ended the top of the seventh. WC did, however, force JCU to go to its bullpen as Danielle Orendi was relieved with one out in the seventh. Hancock continued to work, and pitched around a single by striking out two Blue Streaks in the bottom of the seventh.
The Quakers' offense gave its pitcher the lead in the eighth as Logann Julian doubled to left center with one out, and Samantha Schwab singled her home with two outs. Hancock retired JCU in order in the bottom of the eighth to finish her freshman campaign 3-0. The Marietta native earned the victory by scattering six hits and three walks with nine strikeouts while Brianna Callow dipped to 7-7 with the loss in relief.
Eight Wilmington players had a single hit with Carter and Julian providing the extra-base pokes. Scavelli went 2-of-4 with an RBI for JCU.
The nightcap was a story of missed offensive opportunities for Wilmington. The Quakers had a runner in scoring position in three of the first four innings, but failed to deliver a hit to score a run. The Blue Streaks tagged Hillary Huffer for a run on two hits in the third and two runs on two hits in the fourth. Alexis Stringfellow got the Quakers out of the fourth, and Schwab doubled home Judaea Wilson in the fifth.
Unfortunately for the hosts, an error caused three unearned runs to score in the sixth, and Callow avenged her loss with a four-inning victory in relief that featured six strikeouts.
Huffer took the loss for WC despite allowing a single earned run. Stringfellow, Holly Zeuch and Taylor Evans also pitched. Julian and Schwab accounted for half of the Quakers' eight hits while Kaylyn Odelli went 2-for-4 with four RBIs for JCU.
Wilmington finishes its 2023 season with a 16-22 overall record and a 3-15 mark in OAC contests.
