Softball posts 4-2 victory over Concordia (Ill.), defeats Muhlenberg (Pa.) 6-5 on Day 3 of Spring Break trip

By Tim Glon

CLERMONT, Fla. — A 4-run first inning was enough for the Ohio Northern softball team in a 4-2 victory over Concordia (Ill.) on Tuesday morning at The Spring Games tournament at Hancock Park.

Freshman Gabby Stewart (Union, Ky./St. Henry) lifted Northern over Muhlenberg (Pa.) with a walkoff double to seal a 6-5 victory over the Mules.

The Polar Bears improve to 5-1 on the season, while the Cougars fall to 2-3 and the Mules move to 1-5.

Sophomore Jenna Hollar (Lima/Bath) went 3-for-4 to lead ONU's 9-hit attack.

Junior Kirsten Lightel (Tallmadge) improved to 3-0 on the season, allowing just five hits and no earned runs and striking out seven in the complete game victory.

ONU scored four times in the top of the first inning, sending all nine batters to the plate.

An RBI double by sophomore Hailee Loughman (Brookville) was the big hit in the inning.

In the second contest, Muhlenberg scored twice in the top of the first inning before Northern answered with runs in the bottom of the first and second innings to tie the contest at 2-2.

After Loughman hit an RBI single in the bottom of the fifth to give ONU a 3-2 lead, the Mules would answer in the top of the seventh to force extra innings. 

Muhlenberg struck first in the eighth inning before Loughman hit a sac fly to center field to knot the game at 3-3 heading into the ninth inning.

The Mules would put pressure on Northern once again as they were able to score once in the top of the ninth.

Stewart's walkoff double in the bottom of the ninth plated Hollar and junior Anna Martin (Huntsburg/Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin) to seal the 6-5 victory.

Sophomore Kaitlin Surdej (Lancaster/Central) earned the victory on the mound for Northern as she struck out eight batters in a complete game.

The Polar Bears return to action Mar. 9, as they take on Misericordia (Pa.) at 10:30 am and Wheaton (Ill.) at 3 pm.