Photo Credit: Lauren Hertle
The Muskingum softball team fell to the Ohio Northern Polar Bears in extra innings, by a score of 7-3, to conclude their run in the OAC Tournament.
Notables
- The Muskies (28-13 overall) will now wait and see if they get an at-large bid into the NCAA Tournament when the NCAA Selection Show airs at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, May 13.
- Sophomore Cara Taylor and freshman Natalie Smith were named to the 2024 All-OAC Tournament Team for their performances in the tournament.
The Basics
- Records: Muskingum (28-13 overall), Ohio Northern (24-19 overall)
- Location: Alliance, Ohio
- Attendance: 142
How It Happened
- In the bottom of the third inning, sophomore Cara Taylor blasted a homer over the centerfielder’s head to give the Muskies a 1-0 lead.
- The Polar Bears responded with a two-run shot over the left field fence in the top of the fourth inning. The home run gave Ohio Northern a 2-1 advantage.
- In the top of the fifth inning, the Polar Bears added another run on a solo shot over the left field fence to put the score at 3-1, in favor of Ohio Northern.
- The Muskies tacked on a run in the bottom of the fifth inning, using a sacrifice fly by freshman Taryn Mickley to bring freshman Aimee Heasley home from third base.
- In the bottom of the sixth inning, Muskingum tied the ball game at 3-3 with a senior Rosie Hayes double into left field that scored freshman Olivia Rapol.
- In the top of the ninth inning, the Polar Bears added four runs.
Inside the Numbers
- The Muskies finished with three runs, 10 hits, three RBI’s, and were walked twice.
- Taylor fired off two hits, one RBI, and one run scored to lead the Muskie offense.
- Hayes and Mickley both added two hits and one RBI into the mix.
- Rapol and Heasley each scored a run in the contest.
- Sophomore Sadie Smith, freshman Natalie Smith, freshman Kenzie Standerfer, and freshman Eliana Shaheen each had a hit.
- Senior Madelyn Thomas got the start in the circle for Muskingum. She went 4.2 innings and allowed three runs on five hits, while striking out three batters.
- Freshman Tareyn Born came in for relief and went 4.1 innings while striking out five batters, while giving up four runs.
- The Polar Bears were led by Carlie Schroeder who tallied four hits.
- Ashley Lenser pitched all nine innings for Ohio Northern.