Softball falls twice in pitching duals to Muskingum 4-3, 2-0

By Tim Glon

ADA — The Ohio Northern softball team fell in a pair of pitching duals 4-3 and 2-0 to Muskingum on Saturday at the ONU Softball Field.

The Polar Bears fall to 15-16-1 overall and are 14-15 in the Ohio Athletic Conference, while the Muskies improve to 24-10, 23-7.

Trailing 4-0 in the opener, sophomore Annika Murray (Hilliard/Bradley) blasted her fourth home run of the year in the bottom of the sixth to swing the momentum in ONU's favor.

In the seventh, senior Alicia Swierz (Deerfield/Southeast) doubled home freshman Sydney Motylinski (Ida, Mich.) to make it 4-2.

Junior Rachel Hish (Gainesville, Va./Patroit) was hit by pitch to load the bases and senior Abby Davis (New Palenstine, Ind.) drew an RBI walk to score sophomore Lauren Walls (Grove City) with 1 out and it was 4-3.

But Murray popped out via the infield fly rule and Swierz tried to score when the ball was not caught and was tagged out at home to complete the double play and end the game.

Junior Allie Bican (Solon) struck out nine in the circle for ONU.

In game two, junior Stacey Walters (Sunbury/Big Walnut) struck out seven and allowed only two runs but suffered the loss as the ONU offense mustered only three base hits.

The Polar Bears and Muskies will wrap up their 4-game series on Sunday with two games at Muskingum.