Softball falls in extra-innings to Baldwin Wallace in heartbreaking OAC Tournament game

The Muskingum softball team fell in extra-innings to the Baldwin Wallace Yellow Jackets in their first game of the OAC Tournament. The heartbreaking contest came to an end after the ninth inning, where the rallying Muskies came up just short in the 6-2 contest.

OAC Tournament

The winner of the double elimination tournament will earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Softball Championship.

The Basics

• Records: Muskingum (27-12 overall), Baldwin Wallace (23-15 overall)
• Location: Alliance, Ohio - 23rd Street Softball Field
• Attendance: 124

How It Happened

• The Muskies and Yellow Jackets both went scoreless through the first inning of action, as both teams were feeling things out in this highly anticipated matchup. Senior Madelyn Thomas got the start in the circle and recorded three outs through the first five Yellow Jacket batters.
• In the bottom of the second inning, the Muskies struck first with a pounded double down the left field line by freshman Kenzie Standerfer that scored freshman Natalie Smith. N. Smith had reached base by earning the first walk of the game for Muskingum. 
• The top of the third inning brought the first challenge of the game for Thomas. After the Yellow Jackets loaded the bases, a sacrifice fly, that was caught by a diving senior Rosie Hayes in shallow right, was just enough to score a run and tie the game at 1-1.
• The top of the fourth saw a commanding performance from Thomas as she sent the first three Yellow Jacket batters back to the dugout. It was her first inning retiring every batter she faced while also dealing her first strikeout of the contest.
• In the top of the fifth, Thomas continued her dominant performance with a three pitch inning. Three batters, three outs, as the Muskies defense, led by Thomas, continued to hold things in a tight contest.
• The Muskies once again faced a bases-loaded situation in the top of the sixth inning. With only one out, a Yellow Jacket batter launched a ball into left field that appeared deep enough to score the runner at third. That was before senior Kalie Eshelman snagged and fired an incredible throw to the plate that easily caught the Baldwin Wallace runner. Once again, a defensive highlight being made in this game to keep the score knotted at 1-1.
• Another defensive highlight in the top of the seventh inning as Hayes once again laid out in right field. This time a hard hit ball down the right line that saw Hayes make an incredible play to keep the Baldwin Wallace base-runner off the bases. As the announcer from the game said, "And a great diving catch from Rosie Hayes, that ball looked like it was going to be down and fair, and Hayes reaches out and gets it". The Muskies defensive mindset continued to shine deep into this game.
• In the bottom of the seventh, the Muskies found life once again in Hayes as she earned a walk to put the game-winning run on base. After a pinch hit walk by freshman Tareyn Born, the game-winning run moved one base closer. But, that is as far as Hayes would get as the Yellow Jackets found their footing and secured two outs. The game would go to extra innings with things still tied at 1-1.
• As the rain started falling in extra innings, Thomas showed no let-up in her performance. Once again, helping fuel the Muskies and getting three outs in this intense game.
• Sophomore Cara Taylor laid down a great bunt to lead off the Muskies in the bottom of the eighth to get on base. She proceeded to steal her 27th base of the season and move herself to second. The Muskies followed that up by getting the bases-loaded twice in the inning, but could not force in a run to close out the game.
• The Yellow Jackets fired a three-run shot over the left field fence to secure the lead in the top of the ninth. 
• The Muskies applied pressure in the bottom of the ninth inning with runners on second and third, but ultimately couldn't tie the game.

Inside the Numbers

• The Muskies finished with two runs, five hits, two RBI's, and were walked eight times.
• Taylor led the Muskies with two hits and one RBI.
• Standerfer recorded a double that secured an RBI early in the contest for the Muskies. She also tallied a run scored.
• Eshelman had one hit and two walks in the contest to help fuel the offense.
• Freshman Taryn Mickley also singled by way of a bunt for the Muskies.
• N. Smith found home plate for the Muskies, as she was the first run scored in the contest for Muskingum. She was also walked twice today.
• Thomas went eight innings while striking out two batters and walking three.
• Freshman Bethany Rodman came in for relief to close out the Muskies pitching efforts in the top of the ninth inning.
• Baldwin Wallace was led by Mia Maddamma, who logged three hits, three RBI's, and two runs scored. 
• Marisa Hall pitched all nine innings for the Yellow Jackets.

Up Next

• Muskingum will be back in action later today, when they will face the loser of the Mount Union vs. Ohio Northern game. Game time for the Muskies second contest is set for 5:00 p.m.