OBERLIN, OHIO — The Hiram College softball team swept Oberlin College, 6-0 and 13-2 in five innings, today (Wednesday, Apr. 28) in a North Coast Athletic Conference doubleheader at Culhane Field in Oberlin. [Game One Stats] [Game Two Stats]
With the sweep, the Terriers improve to 18-13 overall and 7-3 in the NCAC. The Yeowomen fall to 4-30 overall and 1-11 NCAC.
In game one, both teams remained scoreless until the top of the third inning when Hiram tallied four runs that included a two-RBI single by freshman designated hitter/first baseman Alee Singer (Akron/Dayton). The Terriers added two more runs in the seventh thanks to a two-run homerun by junior first baseman Kelly Langland (Batavia/McNicholas), her second homerun of the season, to increase the lead to 6-0. Solid team defense and pitching by senior two-time All-NCAC pitcher/outfielder Whitney Dropsey (Ashland/Hillsdale) held Oberlin scoreless throughout as Hiram went on to win by the final of 6-0.
Hiram had 11 hits in the opening game and was led by Langland who went two-of-three with two runs scored and three RBI. Three other Terriers each recorded a pair of hits. Singer finished the game two-of-four with two RBI. Sophomore outfielder Marlene Smith (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Trinity) went two-of-three and aadded a run scored. Freshman shortstop Megan Troxell (New Richmond) finished two-of-three.
Dropsey pitched all seven innings to pick up her 12th win of the season to improve to 12-8 overall. She also claimed her fourth shutout victory of the season allowing just four hits and striking out nine batters.
In game two, Hiram grabbed an early 1-0 lead with a run in the top of the first on a RBI single by Singer. The Terriers added two more runs in the third thanks to another RBI single by Singer and a RBI single by sophomore third baseman Ashley Pike (Mission Viejo, Calif./Mission Viejo) to lead 3-0. Oberlin got on the board with a run in the bottom of the third, but Hiram blew the game open with 10 runs in the fourth resulting in a commanding 13-1 margin. The Yeowomen scored a run in the fourth, but would not cross home plate again as Hiram went on to cruise to a 13-2 victory in five innings.
Hiram finished game two with 14 hits and was led by senior second baseman Ashley Crowder (North Lewisburg/Triad) and Singer who were two of four Terriers with a pair of hits. Crowder went two-of-three at the plate with two runs scored. Singer finished two-of-three with a run scored and two RBI. Pike ended the game two-of-three with a run scored and a RBI. Troxell rounded out the multi-hit performances going two-of-two with a run scored.
On the hill, Dropsey started the game and went three innings to claim the victory and improve to 13-8 overall. She allowed just one run on four hits and had two strikeouts. Junior Sarah Padilla (Ontario, Calif./Colony) and sophomore Alati Gagne (Gorham, N.H./Gorham) each pitched an inning of relief. Padilla gave of one run on two hits while striking out one batter. Gagne allowed no runs and just one hit.
Hiram will play a pivotal NCAC doubleheader on Friday, Apr. 30 against Denison University in Granville. The first game is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, please contact Hiram College Sports Information Director Jeff Hoedt by phone at (330) 569-5495, by FAX at (330) 569-5392 or by email at hoedtjm@hiram.edu.
