(ADA, Ohio) – The Wilmington College softball team dropped a tough doubleheader with the Ohio Northern University Polar Bears Wednesday afternoon on the road. They lost game one, 5-4, and game two, 5-3. The Quakers found themselves with a lead heading into the bottom of the sixth in game one but lost it. They trailed by one heading into the bottom of the sixth in game two, but a pair of insurance runs doomed Wilmington.
The Quakers drop to 13-10-1 overall this season and 1-5 in the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC). They play a doubleheader at Marietta College on Saturday.
Game One – Ohio Northern defeats Wilmington, 5-4
Wilmington grabbed a run in the top of the first to take a 1-0 advantage. After an out, Jocelyn Franz hit an infield single and advanced to second on a throwing error. This allowed a Judaea Wilson single through the right side of the infield to plate Franz and put Wilmington ahead. The Polar bears immediately tied the game with a run in the bottom of the frame and would go ahead 3-1 with runs in the second and third innings.
Wilmington had a runner in scoring position in the top of the third, but a double play ruined their chances of scoring. They struck for two runs in the fifth. A Chloe Dorn double was followed by a Kori Cornett bunt single to put runners on the corners with no outs. Franz reached on a fielder's choice, where Dorn was cut down at the plate. Wilson saved the inning though with a two-run double to left field to tie the game at 3-3.
The Quakers had a great chance to score several runs in the top of the sixth. The first three batters reached to load the bases with no outs before a Rachel Berry single put Wilmington up 4-3. Unfortunately, the Polar Bears escaped the inning with just one run given up. Ohio Northern scored two in the bottom of the frame for a 5-4 lead and held on for the win.
Game One Notables
- Judaea Wilson led Wilmington with two hits ad three runs batted in (RBI).
- Kori Cornett and Rachel Berry also had two hits. Berry provided the other RBI in the game for the Quakers.
Game Two – Ohio Northern defeats Wilmington, 5-3
The Quakers took an early lead with a single run in the second inning. Claire Scully was hit by a pitch and stole second, before Ashley Hardesty hit her in with a single to left field. The Polar Bears responded with three runs in the bottom of the frame to grab a 3-1 advantage.
Wilmington had runners in scoring position in the fourth and fifth innings but couldn't get a run across the plate until the sixth inning. Scully singled and stole second with one out. Alasandra Spears walked and they both advanced on a wild pitch to put runners at second and third with one out. Hardesty singled through the left side to cut the lead to 3-2. The Quakers loaded the bases but were unable to bring in any more runs.
Ohio Northern scored two in the bottom of the sixth for a 5-2 lead. Maddie Starnes hit an RBI single in the seventh, but Wilmington couldn't complete the comeback.
Game Two Notables
- Ashley Hardesty had two hits and two RBI in the game for the Quakers.
- Maddie Starnes and Claire Scully each had two hits, with Starnes recording the other RBI.
What's Up Next
Wilmington is back on the road Saturday for a doubleheader with Marietta College. First pitch against the Pioneers is scheduled for 1:00 P.M.
