Softball wraps up Spring Break trip with pitching duel victories over Catholic (D.C.) and Bethan y (W.Va.)

By Tim Glon 

ADA -- The Ohio Northern softball team wrapped up its Spring Break trip with a pair of pitching duel victories on Saturday.

The Polar Bears (11-1 overall) began the day with a 4-2 victory in 8-innings over Catholic (D.C.), then edged Bethany (W.Va.) 1-0 to finish the afternoon.

Junior Kirsten Lightel (Tallmadge) struck out 12 batters and did not allow an earned run to improve to 6-0 in the circle.

With the game tied at 1-1 after regulation, freshman Gabby Stewart (Union, Ky./St. Henry) singled home junior Anna Martin (Huntsburg/Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin) to make it 2-1 ONU.

Junior Leanna Henry (West Jefferson) followed with a 2-run home run to extend the lead to 4-1.

Against Bethany, sophomore Kaitlin Surdej (Lancaster/Central) threw a 1-hit shutout with eight strikeouts to improve her record to 5-1.

She gave up a single to the leadoff batter in the top of the first and was dominant the rest of the way, allowing only two batters to reach second base in the game.

Martin singled home freshman Jordan Cloonan (Kirtland/Cornerstone Christian) with a 2-out single in the bottom of the seventh to give ONU the victory walk-off style.

The Polar Bears will return to action March 23 with a double header at Anderson (Ind.)