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BEXLEY, Ohio –  After dropping two straight to Otterbein University on Saturday, the Capital University softball team got two back from the Cardinals on Sunday afternoon with 4-2 and 2-1 wins. 

With contributions from much of the starting lineup in both games, highlighting the day was two big plays from Erica Ogden. In game one, the center fielder launched a homer in the fifth inning to ensure some comfort in the scoreline, and in game two Ogden hit an RBI triple to set up the late rally for the Crusaders to overcome a 1-0 deficit. 

GAME ONE - Capital wins 4-2 (Box Score)
Otterbein jumped out to an early lead with a Hannah Dobrinick home run in the second inning. However, the lead for the visitors did not last long. 

Capital responded in the bottom of the second with two runs to grab a lead they would hold onto for the remainder of the game. After Alyx Slusher singled, pinch runner Maria Keller took over on the bases. Keller scored from first on a single by Haley Grau on the very next at-bat to level the score at one. Another pinch runner in Grace Lockard scored as Alysa Durbin singled down the right field line. The run pushed Cap ahead 2-1. 

Capital would get the game winning run just an inning later in the bottom of the third. Tiffany Zuelzke reach after getting hit by a pitch and stole second. Lexi Leggett then delivered in a clutch double to right center. 

Ogden then delivered an important insurance run with a homer to left field in the bottom of the fifth. The dinger put Capital ahead 4-1. 

Otterbein got a run back in the top of the seventh, but it was too little-too late. Hannah Lewis singled home Macy Allen who had previously reached via an error. 

Brianna Shearer (6-6) started in the circle for Capital and pitched all seven innings conceding just six hits, two runs (one earned), and one walk. Shearer also fanned five batters in her excellent start. 

Brook Crosby (5-5) started for Otterbein and was hit with the loss and was responsible for seven hits, four runs, and two walks. She did strike out eight Capital hitters though. 

GAME TWO - Capital wins 2-1 (Box Score)
In game two, both teams struggled for offense early, but Otterbein broke through with a run in the top of fourth inning. Sage Jenkins hit a single to center that enabled Taylor Baran to score. 

The Cardinals held onto their slight lead until the bottom of the sixth. Lauren Kachure reached on a hustle play, beating out a single to third. Erica Ogden then tripled to bring Kachure home. With Ogden in great scoring position, Alyx Slusher hit another infield single that enabled Ogden to score the go-ahead run. 

In the top of the seventh, Katelyn Wilhelm slammed the door shut on the Cardinals and worked around a walk to end the game in favor of the Crusaders, 2-1. 

Wilhelm earned the win by allowing seven hits, one run, and striking out seven. The win was her second of the season. 

Jess Gunter dropped to 4-9 on the year after allowing seven hits and two runs. Gunter did fan nine Capital hitters in her work in the circle. 

UP NEXT
Capital returns to the field on Saturday, April 24th with a doubleheader at Mount Union. First pitch in Alliance is slated for 1 p.m.