Springfield, OH – The Wittenberg University softball team returned to action on Sunday afternoon for a two-game series, hosting the Terriers of Hiram College. The Tigers took game one of the afternoon, 8-5. Wittenberg fell behind early in game two, allowing Hiram to put up four runs in the first inning, as the Terriers went on to take the second game 5-3. Wittenberg tallied 16 hits on the afternoon, with Megan Niswonger going 2 for 2 in game one, logging three RBI's and a run scored for the Red and White. Julia Burch and Clara Andersen each had multiple hits in the second game, with Burch going 3 for 4 with an RBI and Andersen finishing 2 for 4 with an RBI and a run scored.

Game One Breakdown

After Hiram opened the scoring in the first inning, the Tigers responded with two runs of their own in the bottom half of the inning. Burch knocked in the first Wittenberg run, forcing the error by the Hiram pitcher allowing Elise Freeland to come home and score. Niswonger delivered on the sacrifice bunt, bringing home Burch to give the Tigers the 2-1 lead. Wittenberg added two runs in the second inning starting with a single down the line in left by Samantha Lindsey, scoring Niki Hawkins. The Tigers executed the double steal, as the Terrier defense was unable to relay the throw back home in time and Alex Gibson crossed for the fourth Wittenberg run of the game. The Wittenberg offense continued to add to their lead in the bottom of the third, adding three more runs. The Tiger defense had to fend off a late Hiram comeback in the top of the fifth, as the Terriers posted four runs.

Katelyn Niswonger picked up her third win of the season, moving to 3-0 on the year. Tossing the complete game, Niswonger allowed four hits with seven strikeouts.

Game Two Breakdown

Wittenberg struggled to get the offense going in game two, as the Terriers took the quick 4-0 lead in the first inning. The Tigers were able to push their first run across in the bottom of the fourth inning, as Hawkins ripped a double into the gap in right-center, scoring Andersen. Burch stepped up an inning later, ripping a single up the middle to bring home Lindsey. After a fifth Terrier run scored in the sixth, the Tigers would fall short in the seventh after Andersen drove in the third and final Tiger run.

UP NEXT

The Tigers return to action on Tuesday, March 16, hosting Case Western Reserve University for a doubleheader at 3:00 pm.