Freshman Ashley Lenser fires a no-hitter as Softball splits at Muskingum in battle of league leaders

By Tim Glon

ADA — Freshman Ashley Lenser (Brookville) fired her first career no-hitter, leading the Ohio Northern softball team to a double header split at Muskingum on Friday in a battle of Ohio Athletic Conference leaders at Newberry Field.

The Polar Bears (10-8 overall, 6-2 OAC) won the opener 5-0, while the Muskies (21-7, 7-3) took the night cap 3-1.

Lenser was brilliant in the circle in game one, throwing her second consecutive shutout and allowing only three base runners via an error and two walks while striking out four. She also went 1-for-4 with run scored at the plate in the opener.

Two of her three base runners were erased as they were caught stealing by sophomore catcher Kaylie Griffin (Grafton/Elyria Catholic) as Lenser faced only 22 batters.

Griffin also got it done at the plate, smacking a 2-run home run in the top of the seventh to give ONU its 5-0 lead.

In game two, Muskingum scored twice in the bottom of the first and once more in the fourth to go up 3-0.

Senior Lauren Renner (Columbus/Hilliard Bradley) led off the seventh inning with a double, went to third on a wild pitch and scored on a ground ball by freshman pinch-hitter Taylor Hilty (Kettering/Fairmont) to make it 3-1.

ONU then drew three consecutive two-out walks to load the bases, but the Muskies would get the final out to hang on for the victory.

Senior Rachel Hish (Gainesville, Va./Patroit) became the 41st member of ONU's 100-Hit Club. She had a single and later scored on Griffin's home run in game one for her 100th career hit.

The Polar Bears will be very busy in the final three weeks of the regular season with four double headers slated for next week and will return to action Monday with a twin-bill at Otterbein.