COLUMBUS, Ohio – After two days of rescheduling due to inclement weather, the Capital University softball team was able to final play its doubleheader against the Otterbein Cardinals on Monday afternoon. In the first game, the Cardinals jumped out on top early and maintained control of the Crusaders. Capital rebounded nicely in game two, ending it in five innings.

Game 1 vs. Otterbein, L 8-3

Otterbein (5-13) outfielder Molly Riggs set the tone early, finding the soft spot in leftfield for a triple on the game's first at bat. The hits continued as the next batter, Maddie Flasco singled to score Riggs and Bailey McElwain homered to quickly make the score 3-0.

After two scoreless innings, the Cardinals were at it again, adding four runs on five hits. Otterbein was aided by two errors.

Facing a 7-0 deficit, Capital (12-7) got on the board for the first time, after an error allowed Maura Rose (Williamsport, Pa.) to reach first base. The error also allowed pinch runner Brooke Hokes (Powell, Ohio), enough time to cross home plate.

Katie Hurst (Macedonia, Ohio) entered to pinch run for Rose and the move paid off for Capital as Hurst used her speed to score on a double from Therese Becker (South Euclid, Ohio).

Becker led the Crusaders, going 2-for-2 at the plate to finish with two hits and an RBI.

McElwain had two hits, recording a pair of runs and RBIs.

The Cardinals held advantages in hits (15-8) and RBIs (8-3).

Rachael Owens pitched the whole game for Otterbein, striking out four batters.

Game 2 vs. Otterbein, W 13-0

Senior outfielder Kelsey Swain (Pickerington, Ohio) led off for the Crusaders, doubling down the left to establish early momentum. Following a Brooklyn Staten (Grove City, Ohio) single and a pair of outs, Becker picked up where she left off, singling to left field to score speedy teammates, Swain and Staten.

Swain and Staten added another pair of runs in the second inning when LeAnna Cotton (Okeechobee, Fla.) slapped it over the right field fence for her fourth home run on the season.

After six runs in the first two innings, the Crusaders continued the assault in the bottom of the third.

Bailey Walter (Ashland, Ohio) began the six-run inning with a single to left field. With two runners on base, Cotton recorded her fifth RBI of the game with a shot down the left line, allowing her to reach second base.

Two more runs were added when Becker doubled to left field, bringing in Cotton and Hokes. The final blow of the inning was dealt when Pam Vickers (Sagamore Hills, Ohio) hit the third double of the inning to bring in two more runners, making it a 12-0 ball game.

Swain finished the game with four runs and two hits. Staten, Cotton, and Walter each added a pair of runs.

Cotton paced the Crusaders with six RBIs while Becker notched four.

The Crusaders jump right back into action with a doubleheader on Tuesday, March 31 at Muskingum. The first pitch is slated for 3 p.m.