Lexington, KY – The Wittenberg University softball team picked up two top 10 wins over the weekend. The Tigers started the day with an exciting come from behind, extra-innings win over No. 10 Transylvania, 8-7. Wittenberg kept the momentum rolling into game two with a gritty 5-4 win over NCAC foe No. 7 DePauw, in a non-conference contest. The Red and White responded late in the second game, scoring three runs in the sixth, before adding two more in the seventh to secure the win. Wittenberg put together 23 hits on the day with 15 coming against the Pioneers in the first game of the day. Elise Freeland finished the day, 4 of 7 from the plate with three runs scored and an RBI for the Red and White.
Game One Breakdown
A single through the left side by Megan Niswonger brought home Freeland in the bottom of the first, as the Tigers were the first to strike. Transylvania put together a five-run rally in the third inning, pushing their lead out to four. Another RBI single from Niswonger brought home Freeland for the second time, helping Wittenberg cut into the Transylvania lead. The Tigers continued to chip away in the fourth inning, cutting the Transylvania lead in half after plating two more runs. A base clearing triple by Clara Andersen scored Niki Hawkins and Niswonger to bring the Tigers to within two, bringing the score to 7-5. Alex Gibson singled up the middle to plate Andersen to keep the Tiger rally rolling. Hawkins hit the walk-off single through the left side with the bases loaded, bringing home Briana Busic. Katelyn Niswonger tossed the complete game from the circle for the Red and White, allowing seven hits and striking out one, picking up her fifth win of the season.
Game Two Breakdown
The two NCAC foes played through a deadlock for the first three innings, before DePauw was able to plate the first run in the bottom of the fourth inning. After DePauw added two more in the fifth, Wittenberg ignited a scoring rally in the top of the sixth inning. Freeland kickstarted the Tiger offense with a triple down the line in left field, plating Busic for the first Wittenberg run of the game. Aggressive baserunning by the Wittenberg senior brought home the second run for the Red and White, as Freeland stole home. Wittenberg overtook DePauw in the seventh inning starting with a bunt single dropped down by Julia Burch, scoring Busic for the third Wittenberg run. A defensive error by DePauw later in the inning allowed Wittenberg to secure the 5-3 advantage, heading into the final half inning. Kira van Ravensberg tossed the complete game for the Red and White, allowing seven hits and striking out one.
UP NEXT
Wittenberg will return to action on Saturday, March 27 with a trip to the University of Mount. St. Joseph for a two-game series, beginning at 2:00 pm.