Danielle Grooms

WOOSTER, Ohio – The College of Wooster softball team scored three runs in the fourth inning to edge out Otterbein University 3-1 in the opener, but then fell by that same tally in the second game of a doubleheader Thursday.

Jenn Horton pitched seven strong innings, allowing six hits and striking out seven batters, and the Scots' (19-11) offense did just enough damage to help her notch her ninth victory.

Demi Hart led off the bottom of the fourth with a double into the right-center gap, and then Horton drew a walk to put two runners on base. Later in the inning, Carly Schoenstein doubled to drive in a run, and on the very next at bat, Danielle Grooms singled down the left-field line to plate another and make it 2-0.

The Scots then used some smart base running to plate their third run of the inning, as Grooms intentionally got caught in a run down between first and second, which allowed Schoenstein to steal home.

Otterbein (20-11) threatened a bit in the seventh, as Kristin Lakes hit a two-out double to put her team on the scoreboard, but Horton fanned the final batter to escape the jam with a win.

In the second game, Wooster again broke up a scoreless tie in the fourth inning, as Lauren Swinehart scored from third on a passed ball to put the Scots on top 1-0.

The score stayed that way until Otterbein tacked on a run in the sixth, and then two more in the seventh, to earn its own 3-1 triumph.

Hart and Schoenstein recorded hits in both games, and Swinehart stole a bag in each tilt.

Next, Wooster gets back to North Coast Athletic Conference action with a doubleheader at Kenyon College (11-12, 3-7 NCAC) Saturday at 1 p.m.