Springfield, Ohio – The Wittenberg University softball team celebrated the playing careers of their four seniors before hosting the Big Red of Denison University in their final home game of the 2018-19 season. The Tigers took game one from the Big Red 6-5 in a back and forth battle. Wittenberg went down 3-0 in game two, as the Tigers managed to get just one hit through seven innings of action. 

Game One Breakdown

Denison jumped out to an early lead, scoring four runs in the first inning. Wittenberg would chip away at the Big Red lead, scoring runs in the first, third and capping off the comeback with a three-run rally in the sixth to take their first lead of the game. Elyssa LaBine drove in the first run of the game, forcing the Denison throwing error and allowing Elise Freeland to come across to score in the bottom of the first. Abby Curnutte helped cut into the Denison advantage, reaching on the fielder's choice on the sacrifice bunt, bringing home Lauren Buelow, making it a 4-2 game after three innings of action. Denison posted their final run in the fourth inning, as the Wittenberg scoring rally kicked off in the bottom of the fifth. Lee pushed across the third Wittenberg run with a single to center field, allowing Buelow to score for a second time. The Tigers posted three runs in the sixth inning to take their first lead of the game, starting with a Victoria Toetz double to right center, bringing around Clara Andersen. Freeland brought the game back to even with a double to right. Lee put the Tigers on top with an infield RBI single, as Freeland came home to score the go-ahead run.

Cassidy Osborne tossed six and a third innings, bringing Wittenberg and earning her first collegiate win of her career.

Game Two Breakdown

It was a defensive battle through game two, with the Big Red taking an early 1-0 lead after the first inning. Wittenberg struggled to find their offense in the final game of the doubleheader. Freeland tallied the only hit of the game for Wittenberg, finishing the game 1 for 3 from the plate. After Denison added their final two runs in the third inning, the sides held each other scoreless through the remainder of the game.