WESTERVILLE, Ohio – The Baldwin Wallace University softball team opened its home-and-home weekend series with Otterbein University as it swept an Ohio Athletic Conference doubleheader on Rike Field.
BW (9-7, 7-7 OAC), who snapped a three-game losing skid, won the first game by a final score of 4-1. The Yellow Jackets claimed their first sweep since the first week of conference play as they took the second game by a final score of 7-6
In game one, BW scored four runs on seven hits as it plated three runs in the first inning off the three-run blast from junior All-OAC designated player Ashley Matousek (Sagamore Hills/Akron Archbishop Hoban) and one in the fourth on a run batted-in (RBI) bases loaded walk by freshman right fielder Julia Gersey (Solon). Otterbein (8-10, 5-9 OAC) scored one runs on three hits and it pushed their lone run across the plate in the sixth.
The Yellow Jackets were led at the plate by Matousek as she went 2-for-2 with a double, homer, one run scored, three RBIs and one walk. Sophomore left fielder Jackie Kasai (Columbus/Upper Arlington) as she went 2-for-3 with a run scored and a stolen base. Three other Yellow Jackets had a base knock, including a double by freshman center fielder Lexy Coggins (Vermilion/Firelands).
In the circle, junior All-OAC right hander Nikki Camarati (Brunswick/Holy Name) won her sixth game of the season as she pitched her fifth complete game. Camarati allowed one run on three hits with a season-high 14 strikeouts and two walks.
In game two, BW scored seven runs on 10 hits as it plated two runs in the second and erupted for five runs in the seventh keyed by the first career grand slam freshman catcher Bridie Bricker (Brook Park/Berea-Midpark). The Cardinals scored six runs on 13 hits as it pushed one run across in the first, two in the second and three in the third.
The Yellow Jackets were led at the plate by Bricker as she went 2-for-4 with a grand slam, one run scored and a career-high four RBIs. Gersey was 2-for-4 with a double and run scored. Senior Academic All-OAC third baseman Kami Miracle (Uniontown/Green) went 2-for-2 with a walk.
In the circle, junior righty Hannah Welling (Ravenna) got the start and the no decision as she allowed six runs (five earned) on seven hits with one strike out in 2.2 innings pitched. Sophomore right hander Sydni Uhlenberg (Allen Park, Mich.) pitched the 4.1 innings to win her first collegiate game. Uhlenberg did not allow a run on six hits with two strikeouts.
BW closes out the home-and home series on Saturday, April 3 when it hosts Otterbein on the BW Softball Field at the Roehm Athletic Complex at 1 p.m.
