By Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information
Toledo, OH---The No. 8 Express softball team had a matchup with No. 20 Mercyhurst North East C.C. at home on Saturday with their undefeated streak on the line. As they had done 30 times prior, the Express found ways to win while moving to 32-0 (2-0 OCCAC).
Game 1: Owens 9 Mercyhurst 0
Jordan Ratliff (Summerfield/Petersburg, Mich.) dominated on the mound in her six inning, complete game performance, while the Express offense busted open a close game with seven runs in the sixth inning.
After a 1-2-3 first inning for Ratliff, her offense came through with two in the bottom half thanks to a key two-out, bases loaded, two RBI single to left field by Matea Rice (Clay/Oregon, Ohio). The rally had started with three straight one out singles by Ashleigh Whitacre (Central Catholic/Toledo, Ohio), Alaina Haubert (Gibsonburg/Gibsonburg, Ohio) and Lindsey Bandeen (Springfield/Holland, Ohio). Bridget Wolfe (Bellevue/Bellevue, Ohio) had struck out prior to Rice's single.
Following that, neither team scored off Ratliff or Mercyhurst starter Bailey Patt until the Express had their big sixth inning.
That rally started with two outs and nobody on when Kelley Molloy (Whitmer/Toledo, Ohio) doubled to left field. Allison Hausch (Bryan/Bryan, Ohio) was intentionally walked after she had singled and doubled in her previous two at bats.
Michelle Hollister (Airport/Newport, Mich.) then had an infield single to third – loading the bases for Kristen Roznoski (Cardinal Stritch/Toledo, Ohio). Roznoski then hit an RBI single to second base. Following the single, an errant throw to third allowed Morgan Gray (Clyde/Clyde, Ohio), who was a pinch runner for Hausch, to score and put Owens up 4-0.
Whitacre then doubled to right center scoring Hollister and Roznoski before Haubert also doubled to right center scoring Whitacre. A fielding error by Mercyhurst's third baseman allowed Bandeen to reach – putting runners on first and second for Wolfe, who doubled beyond the left fielder, scoring both runners.
Ratliff (14-0) allowed three hits (all singles) and no walks while striking out six. Patt (11-7) took the loss as she allowed 14 hits, nine runs (eight earned), and one walk while striking out three.
Of the 14 hits for Owens, six were doubles. Whitacre, Haubert, Bandeen and Wolfe had two hits apiece, while Whitacre and Wolfe had two RBIs each. Whitacre and Haubert each scored two runs, while Bandeen had a stolen base.
Game 2: Owens 3 Mercyhurst 2
Ashlyn Michalak (Springfield/Temperance, Mich.) struck out a season-high 11 batters in her complete game, while the Express won their second 3-2 game in a week.
Down 3-1 entering the seventh, Mercyhurst nearly tied the game with one on and two outs when Jordan Artise hit a ball deep to left field. However, the ball didn't have enough distance as it one hopped the fence for an RBI double. Michalak then struck out the final batter looking on a full count.
The Express had jumped out to an early 3-0 lead off Mercyhurst starter Kerrin Murphy after two innings.
In the first, Whitacre doubled to left field with one out. That set up an RBI double to left center by Haubert and an RBI double by Wolfe to left field.
In the second, Molloy walked and later scored on a throwing error by Mercyhurst's third baseman, Patt.
Mercyhurst cut the lead to 3-1 in the third on an unearned run when a fielding error by Molloy in left field extended the inning for Sam Richter, who lined an RBI single to center field.
Neither team scored again until the seventh. The Express, however, got a big double play in the sixth after Mercyhurt's Richter singled to lead off the inning. Following a line drive to Hollister at second, Mercyhurst put a hit and run on. However, Sarah Hitchcock hit a line drive to Whitacre in right field, who threw to first for the inning ending double play.
Michalak (10-0) allowed seven hits, two walks, two runs (one earned) in her seven innings. Her 11 strikeouts was one more than her previous high she accomplished during her perfect game earlier in the season.
Haubert and Wolfe each went 2-for-3 with an RBI, while Haubert added a run scored. Whitacre and Molloy scored the other two runs. The Express had four more doubles in the game to give them ten total in the doubleheader.
Murphy (4-4) took the loss as she allowed eight hits, three runs and one walk in six innings. She struck out one.
The Express are now scheduled to travel to Mentor, Ohio to take on OCCAC foe Lakeland Community College (17-10-1, 4-0 OCCAC). The doubleheader will be a battle for first place in the conference.