By Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information
Toledo, OH---The No. 17 Express softball team split a doubleheader against Cuyahoga Community College at home today. With the split, Cuyahoga guaranteed at least a share of the OCCAC championship, while the Express can claim a share with a sweep of Lakeland Community College later this week.
Game 1: Cuyahoga 8 Owens 6
Olivia Reeder's three-run double had the Express ahead 4-2 after five, but Express starter Katilyn Turski couldn't escape a six run sixth for Cuyahoga.
The Challengers (20-10, 9-3 OCCAC) jumped out to a 2-0 lead with single runs in the first and third before Reeder cleared the bases in the bottom of the third to give the Express a 3-2 lead.
Tyniesha Wilson then got a fielder's choice RBI in the fourth to stretch the lead to 4-2.
Three batters into the sixth, however, Cuyahoga had tied it. They added a total of four RBI base hits in the inning, along with eight hits overall in the inning.
The Express offense then mounted a two-out, nobody on rally in the seventh. Amanda Sinay singled through the right side before Emily Rockman singled to left field. Katie Butler then delivered a two-run double to left field, but she was picked off at second base to end the game.
Reeder finished 1-for-4 with three RBIs, while Butler finished 2-for-3 with two RBIs.
Meanwhile, Lexi Sheets led the Tri-C offense with a 3-for-4, two run, two RBI performance. She started the sixth inning rally with a single and ended the scoring with a two-run single.
Turski fell to 15-6 overall with the loss. She went the first six innings and allowed 12 hits and eight runs (seven earned), while striking out two. Molly Gast pitched a 1-2-3 seventh inning.
Tri-C's Jillian Coyle picked up the complete game win for Cuyahoga. While improving to 7-2, she allowed 10 hits, six runs and three walks while striking out five.
Game 2: Owens 3 Cuyahoga 2
Wilson's game winning RBI double in the sixth inning helped the Express keep their title hopes alive in a 3-2 win.
Each team scored a single run in the first as Coyle and Reeder had RBI singles for each of their teams.
In the second, Tri-C took a 2-1 lead with an RBI single from Kelly Kirkpatrick. One inning later, Rockman's RBI double scored Reeder and tied the game up.
Gast started for the Express and pitched well until experiencing a jam in the fifth. With one out and the bases loaded, Turski relieved her and got an infield pop out and a grounder back to the circle to end the threat and keep the game tied.
One inning later, Taylor Miller tripled with two outs and nobody on before Wilson knocked her in with a double to centerfield.
Turski then got a 1-2-3 seventh inning, which was capped off with a strikeout. She picked up the win (16-6) in relief as she allowed just one hit while striking out two over 2.2 innings.
In a no-decision, Gast allowed six hits, two runs and three walks in 4.1 innings, while Brittany Schnarrs took the loss (6-6) for Tri-C. She allowed nine hits, three runs and one walk in six innings.
Reeder (2-for-3, R, RBI), Rockman (2-for-3, RBI) and Miller (2-for-3, RBI) led the Express offense, while seven players picked up one hit apiece for Tri-C.
Notes
The Express (20-12, 7-3 OCCAC) have two games remaining in OCCAC play with Lakeland. Those games will be played later this week on a date TBA.
Their next non-conference action will be on the road against Macomb Community College tomorrow beginning at 3 p.m.
Iacoangeli picked up three stolen bases today and upped her season total to 44, while Reeder's four RBIs bumped her team-high total to 34. Scott, who came into today with a .505 average, saw her average dip just a little to .495 today.
Iacoangeli also picked up her team-high 40th run today, while Rockman bumped her team-high doubles total to 16.