By Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information
Toledo, OH---The Express softball team remained undefeated and today with a doubleheader sweep of Heidelberg University JV. The two wins complete a season sweep for the Express.
Game 1: Owens 8 Heidelberg JV 1
Jordan Ratliff (Summerfield/Petersburg, Mich.) moved to 6-0 this season with her complete game performance, while Alaina Haubert (Gibsonburg/Gibsonburg, Ohio) and Lindsey Bandeen (Springfield/Holland, Ohio) led the offensive attack.
Haubert blasted a line drive over the right center field fence in the bottom of the first to give Owens a 1-0 lead. Heidelberg then answered back with a run in the second.
In the third, however, the Express exploded for six runs on five hits. Michelle Hollister (Airport/Newport, Mich.) got it started with a single to short with one out. Kristen Roznoski (Cardinal Stritch/Toledo, Ohio) then doubled to centerfield on a full count to score Hollister.
Kelley Molloy (Whitmer/Toledo, Ohio) and Haubert walked in the two ensuing at bats to load the bases. Bandeen then tripled down the left field line to clear the bases and put the Express up 5-1. Bridget Wolfe (Bellevue/Bellevue, Ohio) and Tayler Redinger (Fremont Ross/Fremont, Ohio) later added RBI singles to stretch the lead to 7-1.
Owens added one more in the fourth when Haubert tripled to right center to score Molloy, who had doubled to left center to open the inning.
That's when Ratliff settled in even further. The sophomore right-hander only allowed one hit the rest of the way, while finishing the game allowing three hits, one run, and no walks while striking out five.
Haubert finished the game 2-for-2 with two runs and two RBI, including her triple and home run. Bandeen went 1-for-4 with a run and three RBI. Wolfe went 2-for-3 with an RBI, and Molloy went 1-for-3 with two runs.
Ali Sayre took the loss for Heidelberg.
Game 2: Owens 11 Heidelberg 3
A big inning once again catapulted the Express (14-0) to a win, while Ashlyn Michalak (Springfield/Temperance, Mich.) threw a complete game for her fourth victory of the year.
In the second inning, Owens scored five runs to take an early lead. Wolfe walked before Molloy singled to centerfield two batters later. Redinger then had an RBI single to left field to score Wolfe. On the throw home, the runners advanced to second and third.
Hollister then reached on an error to knock in the second run before Roznoski doubled to right center scoring Hollister and Redinger. An RBI single by Ashleigh Whitacre (Central Catholic/Toledo, Ohio) and an RBI groundout by Haubert capped the scoring for the inning.
Heidelberg cut the lead to three with two runs in the next half inning, but Owens answered right back with two more in the bottom of the third on a sacrifice fly by Molloy and an RBI single to center by Hollister.
Heidelberg scored a run in the fifth, but the Express answered right back again in the bottom half when Allison Hausch (Bryan/Bryan, Ohio) and Roznoski had RBI singles to push the lead to 9-3.
Then, in the sixth, Wolfe doubled to centerfield with one out to score Haubert and Whitacre and end the game.
Wolfe finished 3-for-3 with three runs and two RBI, while Whitacre went 3-for-4 with a run and a stolen base. Wolfe finished the day 5-for-6 with three runs and three RBI.
Also leading the attack offensively for Owens was Roznoski (2-for-4 with a run and three RBI), Hollister (2-for-3 with a run and two RBI), and Haubert (2-for-4 with a run and an RBI.
Overall, the Express went 15-for-28 from the plate in the game. For the day, they went 27-for-54 with only two strikeouts.
Michalak (4-0) allowed five hits, three runs (two earned), and no walks while striking out four.
Melissa Lovati took the loss for Heidelberg.
Notes:
The Express will now open Ohio Community College Athletic Conference (OCCAC) play with a doubleheader against Cuyahoga on Wednesday at home. There is a 60 percent chance of rain, however...This weekend, Owens is scheduled to take on Rochester on the road Friday, Delta College at home Saturday, and Mott C.C. on the road Sunday.