WESTERVILLE, Ohio – The Capital University softball team went across town for the annual Battle for the Oar contest at Otterbein University. Despite a 2-0 win in the opening game, Capital relinquished possession of the oar with a tight 10-9 loss in game two. 

Capital is now 8-10, while Otterbein is 10-8. Both teams are 1-1 in the OAC. 

GAME ONE
Capital got ahead 1-0 in the first inning on an RBI single by Michelle Brumfield that scored Emma Sweetman from third. With the run, Capital kicked it into cruise control and rode a dominant pitching performance from Megan Mlinaric the rest of the way. 

Capital tacked on an insurance run in the sixt and this time it was Sweetman delivering the RBI on a sacrifice squeeze bunt that scored Lyndi Hemmelgarn from third. 

Those two runs were enough for Cap as they held on for a 2-0 shutout victory. 

As mentioned, Capital got a dominant pitching performance from Megan Mlinaric (4-1) who carried a no-hitter through 6.1 innings of her 7.0 innings pitched. She ended with one hit and five walks allowed, all to go with seven strikeouts. 

Capital collected 10 hits at the plate, with Kyleigh Kirby collecting four of those hits. Mlinaric and Brumfield each had two hits, while Megan Parry and McKenzie Kennedy each added one hit. 

GAME TWO
In the second game, Capital got ahead 2-0 in the first, thanks to RBIs from Emma Sweetman and Alyssa Miller. Despite being in front, the Comets fell behind 8-2 by the end of the second inning. 

In the top of the third, Capital again worked the sacrifice squeeze bunt play to perfection, with Reagan Irons delivering the RBI to score Megan Parry from third. 

Otterbein then added on what would be two more crucial insurance runs in the third inning to go in front 10-3. 

In the fourth inning, Capital made it a 10-5 game with a two-RBI double by Parry. 

Then, in the ninth inning, Capital started a rally, scoring four runs before ultimately falling short 10-9. The runs came courtesy of RBIs from Sweetman, Laureli McMahon, Irons and Hemmelgarn. 

Alyssa Miller (3-5) three 2.1 innings where she allowed nine runs (five earned) on eight hits and two walks. Addi Parker finished the game in relief, ending with one run allowed on three hits with two strikeouts. 

The Comets collected 13 hits, led by three each from Emma Sweetman and Megan Parry. Autumn Bridges and Lyndi Hemmelgarn each had two hits, while Kyleigh Kirby, Laureli McMahon each had one. The Comets also drew eight walks in the game. 

UP NEXT
Capital will return to Clowson Field for their next two doubleheaders, beginning with a home twin bill vs. Heidelberg on Wednesday, April 2nd. First pitch is slated for 3 p.m.