Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, Ohio – John Carroll University used the big inning to sweep an Ohio Athletic Conference softball doubleheader from Marietta College Saturday (April 21) afternoon. The Blue Streaks won the first game 10-8 and then took game two by the score of 12-7. [Game One Box] [Game Two Box]

The Pioneers fall to 18-16 on the season and 6-10 in the OAC. John Carroll improves to 24-12 overall and 9-5 in conference play.

Marietta scored seven runs in the first two innings of game one. Junior right fielder Kirstie Welch (Pickerington/North) drove a bases-loaded double into the right center gap scoring three runs in the top of the first. She added a two-run single in the second to put the Pioneers ahead, 7-4.

The Blue Streaks used a pair of big innings to claim the first game. John Carroll plated four in the bottom of the first and then added five more in the fourth. First baseman Olivia Mathews connected on a two-run home run in the first inning, while third baseman Erin Riccardi's grand slam was the big blow in the fourth.

Brittany Danilov (15-4) went the distance in the circle for John Carroll to get the win. She threw seven innings and allowed eight runs, six earned, on 13 hits. Danilov walked four and struck out 11.

Freshman Alexis O'Hair (11-6) was tagged with the loss for the Pioneers. O'Hair pitched six innings and gave up 10 runs, nine earned, on 12 hits with two walks and two strikeouts.

Welch went 2-for-4 with a double and five runs batted in. Junior catcher Marissa McDaniel was 3-for-5 with two doubles and an RBI. Juniors Katie Swejk (Tallmadge/Tallmadge) and Allison Keller and freshman Sarah Mayo (Proctorville/Chesapeake) each added two hits for the Pioneers.

John Carroll exploded for eight runs in the bottom of the third inning in game two en route to the 12-7 victory. The Pioneers jumped on top with three runs in the top of the third and added three more in the fourth to cut the Blue Streak lead to 8-6.

Marietta cut the lead to one, 8-7, with a run in the top of the sixth. However, John Carroll responded with four more in the bottom half of the inning to push the margin back to five runs, 12-7.

Junior shortstop Michelle Sayre (Ripley, W.Va./Ripley) gave Marietta the lead in the third with a three-run blast, her third home run of the season. Sophomore designated hitter Jessa Ott (Baltic/Garaway) drove in a pair of runs in the fourth with a double down the right field line.

Ott ended the game 2-for-3 with a double and three runs batted in. Mayo went 3-for-5, while Welch added a double and single in four at bats.

Freshman Ayla Spoljar (Rayland/Bellaire St. Johns) (0-1) made her first varsity appearance and took the loss. She pitched six innings and allowed 12 runs, 11 earned, on 13 hits with three walks and three strikeouts.

Danilov (16-4) picked up the win in relief of starter Rachel Byrnes. Danilov threw five innings and was charged with four runs on six hits with a walk and three strikeouts. Byrnes tossed the first two innings and allowed three runs on five hits with three walks.

The Pioneers play a non-conference doubleheader at Bethany College (W.Va.) on Wednesday (April 25). First pitch is set for 3:30 p.m.