COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Capital University softball team closed the book on a much improved campaign this afternoon with a split against Marietta College. In between games, Capital also celebrated senior day, recognizing Liz Stonerock, Brianna Shearer, Lexie Leggett and Tiffany Zuelzke for their contributions to the program over the years. 

The Comets conclude their season 15-17 overall and 7-11 in the OAC. This comes on the heels of a troublesome 2022 campaign that saw the team win just five games on the year and only one conference game. 

GAME ONE: Capital wins 9-4
The Comets exploded out of the gates, pounding out six runs in just the first inning of the game. Lexie Leggett led off with a single and then scored on Kyleigh Kirby's rocket of a home run just two batters later. A trio of singles from Megan Mlinaric, Liz Stonerock and Tiffany Zuelzke loaded the bases and set-up Reagan Irons' two-RBI single. That was then followed up by a double steal from Irons and Zuelzke that scored the latter. An RBI single from Kelcie Schnitzler later scored Irons from third to put a cap on the six-run burst. 

The Comets held the 6-0 lead through the top of the third inning where the Pioneers managed to plate four runs of their own. 

Cap settled down and put insurance runs on the board in the fifth thanks to an unearned run from Chandler Young. Two more insurance tallies came across in the sixth as Kyleigh Kirby singled home Lexie Leggett before Kirby herself scored on a sac fly from Mlinaric. 

All said and done, Capital collected 13 hits in the first game, led by Liz Stonerock who had three. She was joined in the multi-hit category by Leggett, Kirby and Irons who all had two hits. Mlinaric, Zuelzke, Emma Gant and Schnitzler tallied the others. 

Brianna Shearer threw a gem in the first game, tossing all seven innings. In the process she allowed just six hits, four runs (one earned), two walks and punched out seven Pioneers. 

GAME TWO: Marietta wins 2-1
Capital jumped ahead in the second game thanks to a hot start in the first inning. Lexie Leggett led off the game with a double and was moved to third on a sac bunt from Autumn Bridges. On third, Leggett scored as Kyleigh Kirby grounded out to short. 

The lead again carried to the third inning where Marietta was able to score two runs to claim the eventual 2-1 lead that would hold on for the win. 

Four different Comets collected a hit in the game – Leggett, Stonerock, Gant and Schnitzler. 

Shearer again threw a complete game this time being tagged with the loss. She hurled seven innings and allowed just four hits, two runs, two walks and struck out three. 

SENIOR NOTABLES
Lexie Leggett fell just one home run shy of tying the single-season record of 14 set by Devan Boggs in 2013. Leggett ended the season with 13 dingers and ended her career with 25 homers. The 25 round-trippers sit fourth all-time in a career behind Boggs (31), LeAnna Cotton/Maura Rose (28) and Amanda Carroll (27). She also just recently crossed 100 career hits and finished with 103. 

Brianna Shearer ends her career with a 2.68 ERA, good to hold ninth best in a career. Her 267 career strikeouts sit her sixth most in a career as well. 

Liz Stonerock ended her career with a .303 batting average thanks to a 4-for-7 showing today. 

Tiffany Zuelzke finishes up her tenure with a career .290 average on 76 hits.