Lady Pioneers sweep Otterbein in OAC opening doubleheader
Marietta wins game one 6-4 and game two 6-5

March 29, 2008
By: Steve Rose, Assistant SID
MARIETTA, Ohio — Sophomore Katie Woolf (Louisville) blasted a walk-off three-run home run to give the Marietta College softball team a 6-4 come-from-behind victory in game one against visiting Otterbein College Saturday (March 29) afternoon at Marietta Field. The Lady Pioneers would then overcome a four- run deficit in game two to win 6-5. The wins improve Marietta's record to 12-4 overall and 2-0 in Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC). Otterbein falls to 5-6 overall and 0-2 in the OAC.

Otterbein got to Marietta starter Erin Faulkner (Wheelersburg) for single runs in the second and third inning. The Pioneers got on the board in the bottom of the third to pull within a run, 2-1. Junior Emily McComb (Gnadenhutten/Indian Valley) had a two-out single. She moved to second on a single by Faulkner and then scored on a RBI single by Woolf.

The Cardinals extended their lead to 4-1 with two runs in the fifth. Marietta came back with its second run in the sixth. Sarah Gruner (Gibsonburg) led off with a double before being replaced by sophomore Maggie Daubenmire (Thornville/Lakewood Hebron). A single by junior Nikki Driscoll (Bellaire) advanced Daubenmire to third. She then scored on a double steal attempt; Driscoll was caught in a rundown and tagged out on the play.

The score remained 4-2 in favor of the Cardinals until the Pioneers’ final at-bat. McComb was hit by a pitch to with one out to start the rally. Faulkner then walked, bringing Woolf to the plate. Freshman Hope Cowoski (Perry) pinch ran for Faulkner at first base. Cowoski and McComb were soon able to trot around the bases in celebration after Woolf drilled a game-winning three-run home run to left field.

Faulkner scattered four runs on 11 hits, walked one and fanned three in the complete game victory. She improved to 7-2 on the spring. Nadine Bower suffered the loss after allowing three runs on one hit in 1/3 of an inning. Morgan Braun worked the first six frames and held Marietta to three runs on 10 hits.

Woolf, Gruner, Driscoll and freshman Ashley Eberhardt (Massillon/Tuslaw) all finished with two hits. Woolf added four RBI. Janelle Jones went 4-for-4 in the loss for Otterbein.

In game two, Otterbein got a run in the first off game two starter, freshman Amanda Strong (Mineral Wells, W.Va./Parkersburg South). Lauren Tibjash drove in Felicia Vermaaten with a sacrifice fly to give the Cardinals the early 1-0 advantage.

Otterbein added three more in the top of the fourth. Britany Byers led off the inning with a solo home run. Strong retired the next two Cardinal batters before giving up a double to Corey Bernard and walking Kendy Beers. Tressa Ragor then doubled to left, scoring Bernard and Beers to give Otterbein a 4-0 lead.

Marietta answered with two runs in the bottom half of the fourth. Senior Nikki Veigel (Canton/Canton South) led off the inning with a single and moved to second on an Eberhardt sacrifice bunt. Daubenmire then reached on a bunt single that moved Veigel to third. Daubenmire stole second and then Krista Huffman (Woodsfield/Monroe Central) walked to load the bases. A wild pitch scored Veigel and advanced Daubenmire and Huffman up one base. Brandy Jacob (Wellington/Keystone) then drew another walk, before McComb singled up the middle to score Daubenmire and pull Marietta within a pair, 4-2.

After two quick outs to start the fifth, Eberhardt singled to keep the inning alive. Daubenmire then belted a triple down the left field line, scoring Eberhardt. Huffman drew another walk and stole second. Jacob then singled home Daubenmire to tie the score at 4-4. McComb then singled home Huffman and Jacob to give Marietta its first lead at 6-4.

Otterbein added a run in the sixth after it loaded the bases and drew a walk from Strong with only one out. Strong maneuvered her way out of the inning with Marietta holding on to the lead, 6-5. Strong then retired the Cardinals in order in the seventh to secure the 6-5 victory.

Daubenmire led the way offensively, going 3-for-4 with a RBI triple and two runs scored. McComb went 2-for-2 with three RBI and two walks. Woolf finished 2-for-4, while Jacob went 1-for-3 with a RBI and a run scored.

Strong (5-0) pitched all seven innings, giving up five runs (three earned) on seven hits with five strikeouts and three walks. Brooke Stull (1-2) was credited with the loss; she gave up six runs on nine hits with six walks.

Marietta is back in action Sunday (March 30) afternoon when it travels to Rio Grande for a 2 p.m. doubleheader.