Bensing threws a 2-hit shutout; Miller and McKenzie lead offense as Softball sweeps Anderson (Ind.) 3-0, 13-5

By Tim Glon

ANDERSON, Ind. — Senior Abbey Bensing threw a 2-hit shutout in Game 1 and juniors Carly McKenzie and Christin Miller combined for 10 RBI in Game 2 as Ohio Northern swept a non-conference softball double header at Anderson (Ind.) on Thursday.

The Polar Bears improve to 11-13 on the season, while the Ravens fall to 19-13.

In the opener, Bensing struck out five batters in the complete-game victory to improve to 6-6 on the season.

Freshman Anne Dreher had an RBI single in the top of the first to put ONU quickly up 1-0.

Junior Colleen Baliga drilled a solo home run to lead off the top of the seventh frame and senior Ashley Sujkowski followed with an RBI single later in the inning to give Northern another insurance run.

In the nightcap, McKenzie was 2-for-4 with a grand slam and six RBI and Miller went 3-for-4 with a double, triple and four RBI as the Polar Bears pounded out 12 hits and scored in all five innings to win the game in five innings due to the NCAAs 8-run rule.

McKenzie smacked a grand slam, her team-leading fifth home run of the season, to key a 5-run second inning and give ONU a 7-0 lead.

Miller followed in the top of the third with a 3-run triple and later scored on a ground out by McKenzie to give Northern an 11-4 lead advantage.

The Polar Bears will return to action Saturday at 1 pm to wrapup Ohio Athletic Conference action with a twin-bill against Muskingum at 1 pm at the ONU Softball Field.