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Game 1 Box Score

Game 2 Box Score

COLUMBUS – The Capital University softball team handed Marietta its first Ohio Athletic Conference loss Saturday and finished with a split of a doubleheader at Clowson Field.

Sophomore pinch hitter Emma Caputo (Columbus, Ohio) hit a run-scoring double in the bottom of the seventh of the opener to give the Crusaders (15-7 overall, 4-2 OAC) a 6-5 walkoff victory.

The Pioneers (14-8, 5-1) took the nightcap, breaking a 3-3 with three runs in the top of the seventh and hanging on, 6-4.

Senior shortstop Devan Boggs (West Jefferson, Ohio) hit her team-leading fifth home run of the season to lead off the bottom of the first in the day's opening contest, tying the game at 1-1 after Marietta plated one in the top of the frame.

After the Pioneers took a 2-2 advantage in the top of the third, the Crusaders responded again, this time scoring three runs on a two-run double by sophomore left fielder LeAnna Cotton (Okeechobee, Fla.) and an RBI single through the right side by Boggs.

After Capital added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth on an RBI groundout by freshman designated player Sarah Nist (North Canton, Ohio), Marietta tied the affair with a two-out, three-run homer. That play set the stage for the bottom of the seventh.

Cotton reached on an error to open the inning, then moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by senior right fielder Katie Neely (Sugar Grove, Ohio). After freshman Ciera Williams (Galloway, Ohio) was sent in to run for Cotton, Caputo, pinch-hitting for freshman third baseman Katlyn Simpson (Loudonville, Ohio), sent a drive over the head of the right fielder to end the contest.

Sophomore pitcher Brooke Billings (Clyde, Ohio) moved to 8-3 with the complete-game victory.  Boggs, Cotton, Simpson, sophomore centerfielder Kelsey Swain (Pickerington, Ohio) and freshman second baseman Brooklyn Staten (Grove City, Ohio) finished with two hits apiece for Capital, which outhit Marietta 12-5.

In the second game, the Crusaders scored one run each in the first, second and third innings to tie the game at 3-3 after the Pioneers crossed the plate three times in the opening frame. Sophomore catcher Maura Rose (Williamsport, Pa.) plated Swain with a double to right center in the first, Staten scored on an error in the second and Rose doubled again in the third, this time bringing home senior first baseman Lexi Majoy (Huron, Ohio).

After Marietta scored three times in the top of the seventh, Rose homered for the fourth time this season to plate her third run of the game and narrow the deficit to two runs. After a double by Nist, the game ended on a double play lineout.

Freshman pitcher Alyssa Patznick (Newark, Ohio) dropped to 7-4 with the loss, striking out 11 over seven innings. Each team totaled nine hits in the contest.

Capital begins a four-game road swing this Tuesday with a league doubleheader at Baldwin Wallace. First pitch of the opener is set for 3 p.m.