NEW CONCORD, Ohio — Marietta College softball split an Ohio Athletic Conference doubleheader Thursday (April 21) afternoon as it defeated host Muskingum University 8-5 in game one before falling 7-5 in game two. [Game 1 Box Score] [Game 2 Box Score]

The Pioneers moved to 17-12 overall and 7-7 in the OAC. They have now split five of their seven league doubleheaders. The Fighting Muskies improved to 12-19, 5-7 in the Conference standings.

Marietta gained the early advantage in the opener when senior #Maureen Kertes (Cape Elizabeth, Maine/Cape Elizabeth)# singled home a run, but Muskingum answered with three runs to take 3-1 lead after one frame.

The Pioneers regained the lead for good with a seven-run third. Sophomore #Katie Swejk (Tallmadge/Tallmadge)# ignited the rally with a one-out single and later scored on a fielding error. Sophomore #Trayla Liles (Tollesboro, Ky./Lewis County)# then added a two-run single. Senior #Cassady Busellato (Hilliard/Hilliard Davidson)# followed with another RBI single, before sophomore #Chelsea Chaffin (Wheelersburg/Wheelersburg)# drilled a three-run homer, her third of the season.

The Muskies added single runs in the fourth and seventh but Marietta held on for the 8-5 victory.

Sophomore #Marissa McDaniel# finished 3-for-4 to lead the Pioneers' 10-hit attack.  Seven of her teammates added a hit, including Chaffin, who had the big three-run home run.

Chaffin earned the win on the mound to improve to 14-8. She scattered five runs (four earned) on 12 hits, walked three and struck out three.

Muskingum scored three runs in the first and four more in the second to take a commanding 7-0 lead in game two.

McDaniel got the Pioneers on the board with a RBI single in the third. Sophomore #Michelle Sayre (Ripley, W.Va./Ripley)# then added a run-scoring single in the fifth.

In the seventh, Marietta's offense tried to rally when McDaniel drove in a run with a single to right, and Kertes plated two more with another hit to right. Muskingum, however, sealed the 7-5 win with a double play.

Swejk led the Pioneers by going 4-for-4 with three runs scored. McDaniel and Sayre both added two hits in the game.

Junior #Hazel Brogdon (Chugiak, Alaska/Chugiak)# (3-2) took the loss after allowing seven runs (six earned) on seven hits in one and one-third innings. Chaffin scattered two hits and struck out one over the final four and two-thirds frames.

The Pioneers continue OAC play at 3:30 p.m. Friday (April 22) when they visit second place John Carroll University (21-9, 9-3 OAC).