GRANVILLE – Senior Molly Likins hit her third home run in four games to sit solely atop the program leaderboard for career home runs as The College of Wooster softball team split with Denison University on Friday.
Wooster took a 3-2 loss in game one but came back with an 8-7 win in game two. Likins propelled the offense in the second game, going 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBI.
The home run was her fourth of the year and 16th of her career, sliding past her sister Heidi atop the program leaderboard.
In game one, the Scots were scoreless through three innings before sophomore Stephanie Griffin-Sanchez jolted the Scots with a solo shot in the fourth. It was her fourth home run of the year, tying Likins for the team lead.
Wooster scored again in the fifth thanks to a defensive mishap but could not finish the rally against starter Sydney Silverstein. Junior Addie Tagg went the complete way for Wooster, allowing just three earned runs and striking out two.
In game two, Likins homered for two quick runs in the first, but Denison got two right back in the bottom of the inning. Next inning, senior Katie Agatucci connected on a two-run single, and in the third, Ciara Herbert joined the party with an RBI single to short.
Denison once again tied the game up in the bottom of the third as two runs scored on an error.
Yet, Wooster persisted as Gabby Lakes hit a two-run double and Anna Norby scored a sacrifice fly.
Wooster led 8-6 heading into the seventh, but starter Abby Eberly ran into some trouble. She recorded the first two outs with the first two batters, but Denison loaded the bases with a pair of singles and a walk.
One run would score on a wild pitch, and Eberly's day was done after walking the next batter.
Sophomore Rachael Dudziak got the call to get the third out with the bases loaded, and she did just that. She struck out the last batter and gave the Scots the split.
Notable of Dudziak's save, it was her fourth of the season, which ties the program's single-season record.
Eberly collected the win to go 2-1 on the year. She struck out two as five of her runs ended up earned.
Also of note, first-year went Destany Blake went 3-for-4 in the game. Likins and Brooke Swain each finished with a pair of hits. Swain scored both times she reached.
Wooster moves to 14-16 overall and 6-6 in the North Coast Athletic Conference. Denison moves to 14-17 overall and 5-5 in conference play.
Wooster, now winners in three of its last four, will look to keep momentum on their side Saturday when they travel to Ohio Wesleyan University.