MARIETTA, Ohio – Marietta College dropped an Ohio Athletic Conference softball doubleheader to John Carroll University Saturday (April 20) afternoon by the scores of 3-0 and 6-5.
Marietta honored its six seniors prior to the first game. The Pioneers fall to 20-12 overall and 10-4 in the OAC, while the Blue Streaks move to 22-8 and 11-3 OAC.
Sophomore Rachel Byrnes (16-1) threw a three-hit shutout in game one. She walked four and struck out five in 7.0 innings of work.
The Blue Streaks' shortstop Ashlee Unrue singled to center field in the second inning scoring left fielder Morgan Robinson for a 1-0 lead. JCU added two insurance runs in the seventh for the 3-0 victory.
Sophomore
Alexis O'Hair (Maumee/Maumee) (8-4) took the loss. O'Hair allowed three runs on 11 hits with two strikeouts in 6.1 innings of work. Freshman
Lauren Larrick (Leesburg/Fairfield Local) pitched the final two-thirds of an inning.
Senior catcher
Ris McDaniel (Pickerington/North) went 2-for-3 with a double for the Pioneers. Senior second baseman
Katie Swejk (Tallmadge/Tallmadge) had Marietta's other hit in the game.
A two-run home run from catcher Mackenzie Griffin in the top of the sixth broke a 4-4 tie and propelled the Blue Streaks to the doubleheader sweep. Griffin was one of six Blue Streaks with two hits in the nightcap.
An RBI single from McDaniel scored Swejk in the bottom of the first to give the Pioneers the early 1-0 lead.
John Carroll took the lead with a four-run third inning. Byrnes appeared to be well on her way to a second victory in the circle until the Pioneers tallied three runs in the fifth inning forcing a JCU pitching change.
Byrnes went 4.1 innings and was charged with four runs on 10 hits. She walked two and struck out four. Freshman Gina Tosti (2-3) would get the win allowing one run on two hits over the last 2.2 innings.
Larrick started for the Pioneers and pitched 2.2 innings. She gave up four runs on seven base hits with two walks and a strikeout. Sophomore
Courtney Kerwood (Nashport/Tri-Valley) (1-2) was tagged with the loss after giving up two runs on six hits in 4.1 innings of work.
McDaniel finished the second game 3-for-3, while senior
Trayla Liles (Tollesboro, Ky./Lewis County) went 3-for-4 with two runs batted in. Freshman first baseman
Rachel Montgomery (Massillon, Ohio/Perry) had two hits in three at bats.
Marietta hosts the University of Mount Union on Tuesday (April 23) in the Pioneers' home finale. First pitch is set for 3:00 p.m. Fans can catch the action live at
pioneers.marietta.edu. You can also follow the Pioneers on Facebook at
facebook.com/MariettaCollege and @MariettaPioneer on Twitter.
