WOOSTER, Ohio – The College of Wooster softball team missed out on scoring opportunities in a doubleheader on Saturday, dropping a 4-1 decision to Ohio WesleyanOhio Wesleyan University in a nine-inning opener, and then getting blanked 7-0 in a disappointing second game.
The Scots (17-13, 3-3 NCAC) and Battling Bishops (16-12, 3-3 NCAC) went scoreless in the lid-lifter until the bottom of the fourth inning when Wooster's Lauren Swinehart scored on a Priscilla Staples RBI single that gave it a 1-0 lead. Ohio Weselyan played small ball in the top of the fifth inning, and eventually plated a runner on an Emily Bradley sacrifice, knotting the game 1-1.
Jen Horton allowed just one hit over the next two innings, and the Scots gave themselves a great opportunity to win the game in the bottom of the seventh. Rachel Gaines, Staples, and Kelley Johnson all walked to load the bases, and Eric Villa barely missed out on driving in the game-winning run when her well-placed hit over the first baseman's outstretched glove was ruled just foul.
The Bishops' bats finally got to Horton in the top of the ninth by tacking on three runs, which included a Brooke Nether two-run homer, and Wooster was unable to respond in the bottom of the inning.
The second game was all Ohio Wesleyan, as pitcher Amanda Barker struck out seven Scots and pitched a three-hit shutout, but Wooster did create some chances to produce runs.
Trailing 4-0 in the bottom of the fourth inning, Swinehart doubled, and eventually advanced to third base, but never got driven in. Then in the fifth inning, Gaines singled to right center, and Johnson and Villa drew walks to load the bases, but again Wooster couldn't connect on a timely hit with runners in scoring position.
Rachel Frank, Gaines, and Swinehart each recorded a hit in both games, and Staples hit her 25th RBI this season in the opener. Horton struck out nine batters in her tough luck outing, but both her and Gina Pirolozzi were dealt losses in the circle.
The Scots will visit Hiram College (14-12, 4-2 NCAC), who dropped a pair to KenyonKenyon College earlier today, this Tuesday at 3:30 p.m.