Softball Celebrates Senior Day vs. Heidelberg

The Muskingum softball team honored its six seniors prior to their OAC doubleheader against Heidelberg on Sunday afternoon. The Muskies won the opener in walk-off fashion 2-1, and won the nightcap 4-2 en route to earning the doubleheader sweep.

The Basics

• Records: Muskingum (25-9 Overall, 10-4 OAC), Heidelberg (15-20 Overall, 5-9 OAC)
• Location: Donna J. Newberry Field – New Concord, Ohio

Notables

• The contest marked Muskingum's Senior Day celebrations. Prior to the contest, seniors Mickayla Malone, Taylor Gallentine, Claire Guilliams, Carlee Lamacz, Sarah Piteo, and Lauren Barclay were honored for their contributions to the Muskingum softball program.
• The contest marked the final regular-season home game for the Muskies.
• The sweep over the Student Princes gave Muskingum its 10th Ohio Athletic Conference win of the season.

How it Happened – Game One

• A solo-home run in the fourth inning saw Heidelberg hold a 1-0 lead.
• The Muskies strung together three hits in the fifth to plate the games tying run off a Sarah Piteo RBI single up the middle.
• Heidelberg looked to pull ahead in the top of the 10th with two outs and a runner on second, but a phenomenal, diving catch in right center, from Kalie Eshelman spoiled the Heidelberg rally.
• With two outs and a runner on first, Haley Hawk hit a walk-off RBI single to right center to give the Muskies the 2-1 victory. 

Inside the Numbers – Game One

• Muskingum plated two runs off eight hits.
• Senior Hannah Smith tossed 10.0 innings of work and fired a season-high 11 strikeouts en route to earning her 15th win of the season. 
• Seniors Sarah Piteo and Haley Hawk led the Muskies with a hit and an RBI.
• Junior Kalie Eshelman, freshman Cara Taylor, freshman Taylor Stemmerding, and freshman Kaitlyn Bibb each ended the outing with one hit apiece.
• Gabbie Stallbaum led Heidelberg with a home run.

How it Happened – Game Two

• Muskingum scored a run in the first and second to jump out to a 2-0 lead. A Sarah Piteo RBI single up the middle and Kalie Eshelman RBI groundout to shortstop gave Muskingum the early advantage.
• A solo-home run from Heidelberg cut the Muskingum lead in half 2-1 in the sixth.
• The Muskies scored two insurance runs in the sixth, heading into the seventh with a 4-1 lead. The final Muskie runs came off a single to left field from Claire Guilliams and a base clearing triple from Kalie Eshelman.
• The Student Princes went on to plate the contests final run in the seventh off a single to center field, but it wouldn't be enough as the Muskies earned the 4-2 win.

Inside the Numbers – Game Two 

• Muskingum plated four runs off eight hits.
• Junior Madelyn Thomas allowed two runs on three hits and struck out eight in 7.0 innings of work.
• Kalie Eshelman led the Muskies after finishing with two hits, two RBIs, and a run scored.
• Sarah Piteo finished with two hits and an RBI, while Claire Guilliams finished with a hit, RBI, and a run scored.
• Senior Carlee Lamacz notched two hits and a run scored, while junior Rosie Hayes finished with a hit and run scored.
• Gabbie Stallbaum led Heidelberg with a home run.

Up Next

• Muskingum is back in action on Saturday, April 29, when they travel to take on Otterbein. Game one of the OAC doubleheader is set for a 1:00 p.m. start.