WESTERVILLE, Ohio – The Capital University softball team had their moment to secure their second consecutive split with the Otterbein University Cardinals on Monday evening, but a walk-off win in game two saw those hopes dashed away as the hosts finished off the two-game sweep.
Capital's overall record now sits at 5-11 and 0-6 in the conference. Otterbein moves to 10-9-1 overall and 4-2 in the conference.
GAME ONE: Otterbein wins 11-4
The Comets got behind in the bottom of the first inning as Otterbein rattled off four runs, making the score 4-0 early.
Further offense from either team wouldn't come until the top of the third inning when
Megan Mlinaric delivered a bases clearing three-run single. With
Kyleigh Kirby,
Autumn Bridges and
Tiffany Zuelzke on the bases, Mlinaric hit a shot into right field that was good enough to score all three runners.
From there, the Cardinals tacked on some insurance in the bottom half of the inning with two more runs.
However, the Comets didn't go quietly as
Lexie Leggett drilled her sixth home run of the season and fourth round-tripper in as many games during the top of the fourth inning.
Despite Leggett's home run, the Comets would fail to plate any more runs the remainder of the way and surrendered five in the bottom of the sixth, bringing the final score to 11-4 in favor of the host team.
Megan Mlinaric got the start on the mound and was hit with the loss, throwing three full innings and allowing six runs (two earned). She struck out one.
Kyleigh Kirby (2.1 IP, 4 R) and
Jessica Workman (0.2 IP, 1 R, 1 K) picked up the innings in relief.
GAME TWO: Otterbein wins 7-6 (9 innings)
Capital certainly made a game of it in game two storming back into contention after falling behind 2-0 early.
Down by two entering the fifth inning, Capital got right back in it with two swings of the bat as
Kyleigh Kirby and
Lexie Leggett both tagged home runs. Kirby hit a two-run shot after Kelcie Schnitzer had reached via a single and Leggett smacked a solo shot just two batters later to put Capital ahead 3-2.
The lead was brief for Capital as the Cardinals responded with two in the bottom half of the inning to retake a lead.
However, the Comets got a run to tie the game in the top of the seventh as
Megan Mlinaric's deep sac fly foul out scored Kirby from third.
In extra innings, the two sides went through a scoreless eighth before Capital got to work in the top of the ninth.
Autumn Bridges led off with a walk and moved around thanks to a single/fielding error hit by Leggett. Mlinaric then reached on a fielder's choice to load the bases. There,
Krislyn Bayles tagged a single to left center that scored both Bridges and Leggett to put Cap ahead 6-4. With runners still in scoring position, the Comets couldn't force a run home as Mlinaric was thrown at the plate trying to score and Bayles was called out for interference on the basepaths.
Trying to seal the deal, Capital unfortunately gave up three runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to drop the game 7-6.
Brianna Shearer started for the Comets and pitched 4.1 innings spreading out five hits, four runs (two earned) and a walk while striking out one.
Krislyn Bayles took the ball for the final 4.1 innings, surrendering eight hits, three runs and a walk while striking out two.
NOTABLES
Lexie Leggett finished the day a combined 5-for-9 including a pair of solo home runs and three runs scored. With her two homers today, Leggett now has a team-leading seven on the year, just one off the OAC leader with eight. In her career, Lexie has now hit the same number of career home runs as her jersey number -- 19 -- taking sole possession of the fifth most in program history, surpassing both Lexi Majoy (2010-13) and Marisa Koss (2013-17) this week.
Kyleigh Kirby was 4-for-9 today, combining for two RBIs and three runs scored. With her two-run home run in game two, Kirby is right on the heels of Legget for the team-lead in home runs with six this season. She is third in the conference in round-trippers.
Megan Mlinaric was an even .500 on the day, hitting 4-for-8 with four RBIs across the two games. Mlinaric now has a team-high 18 RBIs this season.
Leggett, Kirby and Mlinaric are all hitting .400 or better on the season right now and all have at least 15 RBIs to lead the team in that category as well.
UP NEXT
Capital will make a quick turnaround as they hit the road for Oberlin College on Tuesday, April 11th. First pitch of game one is scheduled for 4 p.m. Originally, Capital was slated to host Oberlin today, but the shifting of schedules forced the games to be played away.
