Madison Anderson tosses two-hit shutout in nightcap, leads Softball to series split with Heidelberg in OAC opener
Game 1
Game 1
| Final (11) | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heidelberg | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 11 | 0 |
| Ohio Northern | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 4 |
Game 2
Game 2
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heidelberg | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 |
| Ohio Northern | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | X | 8 | 13 | 1 |
Team Stats
Game 1
Heidelberg
By Blake Moore
ADA — Freshman pitcher Madison Anderson (Akron/Ellet) recorded a two-hit shutout in the doubleheader nightcap Saturday afternoon, guiding the Ohio Northern softball program to a two-game split in its 2019 Ohio Athletic Conference opener against Heidelberg at the ONU Softball Field.
The Student Princes captured game one with a 3-1 scoreline in 11 innings while the Polar Bears rallied for an 8-0 victory in five innings in game two.
With Saturday's split, Northern moves to 6-6 overall and 1-1 in the OAC this season. Meanwhile, HU climbs to 5-7 overall and a similar 1-1 mark in league action.
During the second contest, Anderson tossed five scoreless frames and surrendered just two hits to capture her third victory in the circle this season. The freshman also posted nine strikeouts in the contest, which set a new career high.
In addition, the Polar Bear offense racked up 13 hits to guide the home side to victory in the nightcap. Junior Brady Guest (Convoy/Crestview) led the way with a three-for-three performance while Anderson, senior Hailee Loughman (Brookville), and freshmen Rachel Hish (Gainesville, Va./Patriot) and Kara May (Saint Marys/Spencerville) each went two-for-two at the dish.
Northern scored in each at-bat during game two, plating two runs in the first, two in the second, three in the third, and one more in the fourth.
In game one, the two programs were locked in a pitching dual early as senior Kaitlin Surdej (Lancaster, N.Y./Central) and HU starting pitcher Stephanie Drapp conceded just one hit each through the first three innings.
The offensive drought ended in the top of the fourth inning when Heidelberg's Casey Moore launched a solo home run over the center field wall to lead off the frame.
The Polar Bears responded to the opening salvo in the sixth stanza with back-to-back doubles from Hish and Stewart to plate their first run in the contest.
After four scoreless innings, the Student Princes posted two in the eleventh frame on three hits to regain control. The Polar Bears looked to respond in the home half, but a strikeout and two flyouts secured the Heidelberg victory.
Overall, Guest led the offense with a team-high five hits on eight plate appearances and an RBI on Saturday afternoon. Meanwhile, Loughman paced the team with three RBI, tallying all three in game two.
Ohio Northern will return to action tomorrow, Sunday, March 24, with a doubleheader against Trine (Ind.) at the ONU Softball Field. First pitches are set for 12 and 2 p.m.
