SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio – The Capital University softball team traveled to the Greater Cleveland area and won two games over John Carroll University by scores of 3-1 and 7-5 (eight innings). The two games were played on Notre Dame College's campus due to field conditions at JCU.
With the wins, Capital improves to 8-4 overall and 3-1 in the conference, while JCU slips to 1-12 overall and 0-2 in the conference.
In game one, the Comets got on the board in the top of the first thanks to an RBI hit-by-pitch from
McKenzie Kennedy.
Kyleigh Kirby scored on the play.
Later in the game, Cap added two more runs in the top of the fifth inning thanks to an RBI double by
Emma Sweetman that scored Kirby. Sweetman then scored as
Rory Littman reached on an error.
The Blue Streaks scored an unearned run on a sac fly in the bottom of the seventh, but Capital was able to hang on for the 3-1 win.
Sweetman collected three hits, while
Autumn Bridges, Kirby, Littman and
Reagan Irons each collected one hit.
Megan Mlinaric pitched the entire game, tossing seven innings only allowing three hits and the one unearned run. As part of her stellar outing, she struck out 11 Blue Streaks and did not walk any.
In the second game, Capital brought out the bats, collecting 13 hits which included a double, two triples and a home run.
Kyleigh Kirby fell just a single short of the cycle to lead the way, ending with a double, a triple and an inside-the-park home run.
In the top of the first, both Kirby and
Rory Littman collected RBI triples to put Cap ahead 2-0.
JCU responded with three runs in the first and second to lead 3-2. Another RBI from Littman – this time a single to center – tied the game at 3-3 in the top of the third.
In the top of the fifth, Kirby smashed a ball to the fence in right field and legged out an inside-the-park home run, also scoring
Lyndi Hemmelgarn.
In the bottom of the seventh, JCU extended the game by tying things up at 5-5.
In the extra frame, Capital scored twice thanks to an RBI bunt single from
Reagan Irons and then a wild pitch that scored pinch runner
Larae Portis.
Autumn Bridges, Kirby (3),
Emma Sweetman, Littman (3),
Reese King,
Emma Gant, Irons (2) and Hemmelgarn accounted for the offense.
In the pitching circle,
Krislyn Bayles lasted 6.1 innings and pitched a solid game.
Jessica Workman worked the final 1.2 innings and worked around two hits to keep the Blue Streaks at bay. Workman earned the win in the process.
UP NEXT
The Comets will host Muskingum University on Monday, April 8th at Clowson Field. The games have been moved up from Wednesday due to the forecasted rain. The originally scheduled trip to Wooster has been canceled to account for the Muskingum switch. Games will begin at 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
