The Capital University softball team competed in a pair of close games Wednesday but was unable to pick up a win at Heidelberg in an Ohio Athletic Conference doubleheader in Tiffin, Ohio.

The Crusaders (14-12 overall, 3-7 OAC) were defeated 5-2 in the opener before dropping the nightcap 5-3.

In the top of the seventh in Game 2, Capital started to rally as junior first baseman Maura Rose (Williamsport, Pa.) doubled home sophomore second baseman Brooklyn Staten (Grove City, Ohio) to cut the deficit to two runs with only one out.

With the go-ahead run at the plate, Heidelberg (15-9, 4-6) posted outs on the next two at-bats, including the second at-bat with the tying runs in scoring position, to end the game.

Staten, freshman designated player Marisa Koss (Ostrander, Ohio) and freshman shortstop Jessica Robinson (Beavercreek, Ohio) led the Crusaders with two hits apiece. Koss and Robinson each knocked in runs as well.

Junior pitcher Alyssa Patznick (Newark, Ohio), who pitched all six innings, was dealt the loss to move to 9-5 on the season.

In the opener, Heidelberg plated four runs on three hits in the first inning and didn't look back, out-hitting Capital 11-5 in the contest.

The lone offensive highlight came in the top of the fourth, when Rose cut the Crusaders' deficit in half with a two-run home run to left field, her third long ball of the season.

The 'Berg answered with an insurance run in the bottom of the fourth for the final tally.

Capital brought the tying run to the plate in the top of the seventh but was unable to push any runs across.

Junior pitcher Brooke Billings (Clyde, Ohio) took the loss for the Crusaders, moving to 5-6 on the year. Patznick tossed the final two innings in relief.

The first five hitters in the order – junior centerfielder Kelsey Swain (Pickerington, Ohio), Staten, junior left fielder LeAnna Cotton (Okeechobee, Fla.), Rose and sophomore third baseman Katlyn Simpson (Loudonville, Ohio) – each posted one hit in the contest.

Capital resumes play Thursday at Denison. First pitch of the non-conference doubleheader is slated for 3:30 p.m. in Granville, Ohio.