Softball sweeps Wooster in non-conference action

The Muskingum softball team swept non-conference opponent Wooster on Thursday afternoon at Donna J. Newberry Field. Muskingum captured the opener 6-1 and won game two in walk-off fashion, 8-7. 

The Basics

Records: Muskingum (23-9 Overall), Wooster (16-14 Overall)

Location: Donna J. Newberry Field – New Concord, Ohio

How it Happened – Game One

• Muskingum jumped out to a quick, 1-0 lead in the opening inning off a Sarah Piteo RBI single to right field.
• In the second inning, Muskingum tallied two more runs off a sacrifice fly from Rosie Hayes and a Wooster passed ball to stretch its lead, 3-0. 
• A Sadie Smith RBI single to left field saw Muskingum make it 4-0 in three innings of action.
• Wooster managed to score one run in the fifth off an RBI double to left field to make it 4-1.
• Muskingum plated its final two runs in the sixth off a Sarah Piteo RBI single up the middle and a Taylor Stemmerding single down the left field line to secure the 6-1 game one victory. 

Inside the Numbers

• Muskingum plated six runs off eight hits.
• Senior Hannah Smith improved to 14-2 on the year after allowing only one hit in 4.0 innings of work. She also tallied two strikeouts.
• Freshman Jaycie Maddux earned the save in the circle after firing three innings.
• Senior Claire Guilliams finished 3-for-3 at the plate with a double and three runs scored.
• Senior Sarah Piteo notched two hits and two RBIs.
• Junior Rosie Hayes, freshman Taylor Stemmerding, and freshman Sadie Smith added one hit and an RBI as well.
• Anna Norby led the Wooster offense with one hit and an RBI.

How it Happened – Game Two

• Muskingum erupted for six hits and plated five runs in the first to take a commanding 5-0 lead. The scoring barrage started off an RBI single up the middle from Cara Taylor and two more runs crossed the plate off a Megan Alspaugh two-run RBI double to left field. The final two runs of the inning came off an Eliana Shaheen two-run RBI single to left center.
• A solo home run in the third and fourth saw Wooster trim the Muskingum lead, 5-2.
• The Fighting Scots plated two more runs in the fifth off an RBI single up the middle and a line shot to second base to draw within one run. Muskingum held a 5-4 advantage through five innings of play. 
• The Muskies answered back with two runs of their own in the fifth. A base clearing triple from Cara Taylor and an RBI single from Taylor Stemmerding saw the Muskies take a 7-4 lead. 
• Wooster evened the game at seven off two Muskie fielding errors and a single through the left side.
• The Fighting Scots failed to bring the potential winning run home from third in the seventh.
• The Muskies capitalized on two Wooster fielding errors and put down a sac bunt to set up the winning run on third.
• A Taylor Stemmerding sac fly to deep center field scored the game-winning run and secured the Muskingum walk-off 8-7 victory.

Inside the Numbers – Game Two

• Muskingum plated eight runs off nine hits.
• Junior Madelyn Thomas improved to 9-5 on the year after tossing 5.1 innings and recorded four strikeouts.
• Taylor Stemmerding finished 2-for-3 at the plate, knocking in two RBIs and had a run scored.
• Freshman Cara Taylor tallied two hits, two RBIs, and two runs scored.
• Sophomore Megan Alspaugh and freshman Eliana Shaheen both notched one hit and two RBIs. 
• Claire Guilliams registered two hits and a run scored, while Sarah Piteo added a hit for the Muskies.
• Emma Hetkey led the Wooster bats with three hits and an RBI.

Up Next

• Muskingum is back in action on Sunday, April 23, when they host Heidelberg for its Senior Day. Game one for the OAC doubleheader is set for 1:00 p.m. at Donna J. Newberry field with senior day festivities planned to begin prior to the games.