SPRINGFIELD, Ohio—Wittenberg softball swept a double-header from the Terriers of Hiram College on Saturday afternoon, as the Tigers exploded for 26 runs on the day. Wittenberg was too much for Hiram in game one, winning 13-3 as freshman Katelyn Niswonger took a no-hitter into the fifth inning. Game two was more of the same for the Tigers, as Chelsea Zang hurled a gem for the Tigers, as Wittenberg was yet again victorious, this time by a score of 13-2. The Tiger offense exploded for 28 hits on the day, while the pitching staff limited Hiram to seven. Wittenberg has a short turnaround, as they look to wrap-up NCAC play with a double-header against Wooster tomorrow.
GAME ONE: Took a 4-0 lead in the fourth inning after a Elise Freeland drew a bases loaded walk, plating Lauren Buelow who earlier singled. The Tiger lead grew to 9-0 in the fourth inning after Abby Curnutte laced a Hiram offering to the wall in left-center field, plating Victoria Toetz and Missy Lee. The final blow of the inning came off the bat of Briana Gibson who doubled down the left-field line with the bases loaded, as Olivia Hopkins, Katy Baumgartner and Alex Gibson all crossed the plate. With the Tiger's lead up to 13-0, Hiram plated three runs in the bottom of the fourth, as Wittenberg slammed the door with the final score in favor of the Tigers at 13-3. Niswonger earned her fifth win of the year in the circle, as the freshman went five innings, scattering four hits and collecting five strikeouts. At the plate, Gibson led the Tigers with four RBI's and two-hits, as the Tigers logged four extra base hits as a team.
GAME TWO: Trailing 2-0 in the top of the third inning, Wittenberg erupted for six runs in the frame to gain the lead. Baumgartner started the extra-base hit parade for the Tigers, as the junior tripled to deep-right, plating Gibson and Toetz. The final blow of the frame came off the bat of Hopkins as the sophomore laced a liner back up the box and advanced all the way to third as the Terriers threw it around, allowing Buelow to score. Wittenberg would add five more runs in the fourth and fifth, as Hiram was forced to use their sixth pitcher of the day in the 13-2 win. Zang didn't surrender an earned run in her five innings of work, as the Tiger's senior hurler scattered three hits and struck out four in her eighth win of the year.
UP NEXT: Wittenberg is back in action against Wooster tomorrow at home at 1 and 3 P.M.