COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Capital University softball team kicked off their home season – albeit a few days late after weather postponements – and split a pair with crosstown rivals Otterbein University.
Game one went the way of the Cardinals via an extra innings 9-8 win, while game two fell in favor of Capital in a 3-2 walk-off win. With the rivalry format working out that the oar changes possession each win, Capital claimed ownership of the oar until the next meeting after winning the second game.
Liz Stonerock and
Krislyn Bayles led the Comets (2-8, 1-1 OAC) at the plate as they each collected three hits.
Tiffany Zuelzke,
Kelcie Schnitzler and
Kayedon Martin each had two hits on the day.
Lexie Leggett and Schnitzler paced the team with two RBIs each.
In the pitching circle,
Brianna Shearer claimed her first win of the season in game two, throwing all seven innings. Schnitzler was credited with the game one loss in relief of Bayles.
GAME ONE: Otterbein wins 9-8 (8 innings)
The Cardinals jumped out of the gates fast, scoring six times in the top of the first. Despite the early setback, Cap didn't lose composure yet, as they responded with four of their own in the bottom half. The Comets loaded the bases with
Tiffany Zuelzke,
Krislyn Bayles, and
Liz Stonerock, helping all three runners come around and score. Zuelzke and Bayless scored on a passed ball and error by the Otterbein catcher, before Stonerock scored on
Lexie Leggett's RBI single. After
Maddie McKinniss reached on a bunt single, Leggett scored on an error by the Otterbein third baseman as they tried to pick her off on third.
Cap would then fall behind 8-4 heading into the sixth inning. There, they would get two runs back on a fielder's choice RBI by
Abby Gischel. Gischel's grounder to the first baseman with the bases loaded forced a throw home where
Liz Stonerock was safe before the throw. Despite already being safe, the first baseman threw the ball away, allowing
Lexie Leggett to score as well.
One inning later, Cap tied the game at 8-8.
Kayedon Martin delivered a single that allowed
Tiffany Zuelzke to come home and score.
Krislyn Bayles – who had previously reached via a single to center – then scored on
Lexie Leggett's sacrifice fly. Despite the momentum, Cap's inning fizzled out.
In the top of the eighth, a double by pitcher Jess Gunter delivered the winning run.
Krislyn Bayles started on the pitching rubber lasting four innings, conceding 10 hits and eight runs (seven earned).
Kelcie Schnitzler pitched the final four frames, allowing just three hits and the one run. The duo combined for three strikeouts.
GAME TWO: Capital wins 3-2
A pitcher's duel led to a tight contest through until the end. It wasn't until the bottom of the third either team would score.
Karri Albertini led off with a walk and advanced on Schnitzler's single. Albertini then alertly scored as Bryn Grabowski threw a wild pitch allowing Albertini to take third. She then raced home on the Otterbein catcher's errant throw, putting Cap ahead 1-0.
Otterbein responded in the next half inning, tying the game at 1-1.
In the top of the seventh, Otterbein would take the lead on an unearned run, heading to the bottom of the frame ahead 2-1.
The bottom of the seventh, Capital had to work quickly as darkness began to sink upon Clowson Field. Things did go quick as
Kayedon Martin singled to left center. Pinch runner
Hannah St. Clair then entered and advanced to second on
Maddie McKinniss' walk. The duo then moved over to second and third on Albertini's sacrifice bunt. With two in scoring position and two-outs,
Kelcie Schnitzler delivered a sharply hit single up the middle that scored both St. Clair and McKinniss, winning the game for Capital.
As mentioned the game was well contested in the pitcher's circle as
Brianna Shearer out-lasted Grabowski. The Otterbein hurler threw 6.2 innings and allowed seven hits and three runs while striking out five. Shearer, on the other hand, tossed all seven frames and allowed just six hits and one earned run, while punching out seven Cardinals. The outing proved to be Shearer's first win of the season.
UP NEXT
Capital will travel to non-conference opponent Denison on Thursday, March 31st for a doubleheader. First pitch in game one is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Cap will then follow up that twinbill with an OAC doubleheader at Marietta on Saturday, April 2nd.
