Bouillion's Career Performance Not Enough as Scots Drop Two to Ohio Northern

A 2-1 extra-innings loss preceded a back-and-forth offensive showcase for either side, but unfortunately, The College of Wooster softball team ended on the wrong side of both as Ohio Northern University took two on Monday afternoon at the ONU Softball Field in Ada, Ohio.

In the opener, senior Rylee Bouillion gave the Fighting Scots (16-20, 7-5 North Coast Athletic Conference) a one-run lead with a solo shot to left field in the second inning. Notable, the homer marked Bouillion's first career jack, as the senior finished the game 2-for-3.

From the circle, senior Jenna Kendall held the Polar Bears (25-11) scoreless through four innings before Ohio Northern's Hailee Loughman drew the game level with an RBI single in the fifth.

Two scoreless innings proceeded both pitchers, as Kendall held off the game-winning run in the bottom of the seventh after forcing a groundout to classmate Stephenie Little at third base to close the inning.

In extra innings, the Scots went down in order before Loughman stepped up and hit a double to left field to drive in the winning run in the bottom of the eighth.

In the nightcap, the Scots went down 2-0 early after a homer from Gabby Stewart in the bottom of the first. In the third, the Polar Bears tacked on two more runs and nearly made it a third before left fielder Taryn Kohlman got the runner out at home to end the inning.

Doubling down on her career home run total was Bouillion, who went yard for the second time in as many games, this time a grand slam to equalize it a four each through three and a half innings. To load the bases, first-year Marina Roski reached on a single to center field before Little advanced to first on an error by the shortstop. Two batters later, first-year Samantha Tromba walked, leaving Bouillion to drive in four RBI as she finished the day with five on 3-for-5 hitting to go along with two runs scored.

Worth noting, five of Bouillion's seven career RBI came on Monday afternoon as she raised her season batting average more than 50 percentage points.

Heading into the bottom of the fourth tied at four, the Polar Bears produced another four-run inning, seized by a three-run shot by Jenna Hollar.

In the seventh, the Scots made their run at a two-out rally as first-year Savanna Hitlan made it to home plate after originally reaching on a fielder's choice before ultimately scoring on an error. From there, Ohio Northern sealed the deal, however, after forcing Roski to pop up the first to end the game.

Up next for the Scots is a key NCAC match-up against conference-leading and 23rd-ranked Wittenberg University on Tuesday, April 25 at Galpin Park in Wooster, Ohio, with first pitch of the doubleheader slated for 3:30 p.m.