TIFFIN -- On Senior Day, the Heidelberg University softball team salvaged a split with visiting John Carroll University. JCU won the opener, 3-1, and Heidelberg took the nightcap, 5-2. In between games, the Student Princes honored its seniors --
Brooke Lewis,
Bailee Faulkner,
Shelby Miller and
Leah Bouillon.
At the top of the order,
Kat Brady and
Hanna Blasinsky combined for eight hits.
GAME ONE: JCU 3 BERG 1
Heidelberg scored its lone run of the day on an RBI fielder's choice by Lewis in the bottom of the first. Brady doubled to center, then moved to third on an infield single by Blasinsky.
Emma Dean was hit by a pitch, which loaded the bases. Lewis's fielder's choice looked like a soft single off the bat, but Blasinsky -- who had to hold up to make sure the ball wasn't caught -- was forced out at third.
John Carroll tied the game in the third, then took the lead with a pair of runs in the fifth.
The Student Princes had a good opportunity to tie the game in the bottom of the fifth.
Raye Hammond and Brady singled, then moved up on a sacrifice bunt by Blasinsky. With two outs,
Emma Dean sent a sharp line drive down the left field line that was caught to end the threat.
Caitlin Dems was sharp, despite the loss. She went the distance, allowing two earned runs and striking out three.
GAME TWO: BERG 5 JCU 2
After the Blue Streaks took a 2-0 in the top of the fifth, Heidelberg used a little Frann's Field Magic to rally the troops in the sixth. Blasinsky started with a double to left. She scored on a throwing error on a grounder hit by Dean. A muffed throw to first on a grounder hit by Lewis allowed Dean to score the tying run. Bouillon and
Riley Cruse worked walks, loading the bases for
Maddie Gossard. Gossard delivered a first-pitch single up the middle, plating two. Brady singled in the fifth run of the inning.
The three-run lead was more than enough for Cruse, who finished off JCU in the top of the seventh. Cruse fired a complete game five-hitter. She fanned two.
UP NEXT:
Heidelberg makes the return trip to University Heights on Sunday. The doubleheader will start at 1 p.m.
