Game 1 Box | Game 2 Box

Oberlin, Ohio – Coming off an emotional 5-0 win over conference rival Wittenberg, Oberlin was unable to hold off non-conference visitor Thiel College in softball action on Monday afternoon. After leading for much of game two, Thiel scored 6 runs in the top of the seventh and Oberlin lost 9-4. The game one final Tomcats 7, Yeowomen 3.

In game one, Oberlin just could not get anything going despite having leadoff batters on base in the first two innings. Oberlin matched Thiel hit for hit, but regardless of recording at least one hit in 6 of the 7 innings, Oberlin seemed unable to string them together in bunches.

Trailing 6-0, the crimson and gold did break through with one out in the 6th as senior slugger Julia Chauvin belted her team-leading third homerun of the year. This one was a solo shot and line drive laser that was never in doubt as it cruised over the wall in left field. Sophomore Katie Baldonieri battled for a walk and scored on a double by Megan Widmer immediately following the long ball.

Oberlin was able to string together four hits in the 7th inning, but just pushed another run across, and it was not enough as Thiel closed the door for the 7-3 win.

In the nightcap, there was a definite feel of a brewing pitchers dual, as the game remained scoreless through two and a half frames. Oberlin took advantage of an error on Thiel's second baseman and connected for four unearned runs in the third. First-year Brittany Dawson reached on an infield single and Chauvin doubled to right field. The big hit was an RBI double by Baldonieri that cleared the bases and Widmer kept things going with an RBI hit of her own.

Thiel battled back with two in the fourth and one in the fifth to cut the Oberlin lead to 4-3. Senior pitcher Jen Sees pitched out of jams in the second, fifth and sixth innings to hold the lead, including fielding a line drive off her leg to get the final out of the sixth.

Oberlin failed to score again though, despite having a runner in scoring position in both the fifth and sixth innings.

With one out in the seventh and runners on the corners, Thiel hit a sharp groundball to Chauvin whose throw to the plate hit the dirt and runners were safe all around. The next batter also hit a ball to third, which was mishandled by the senior standout allowing the go ahead run to score. Thiel followed that with five consecutive hits to open up the game and went on to win 9-4.

Head Coach Adrienne Davis said, “Today's game is a great example of why you cannot give a team extra outs. We took advantage of one mistake early by them and they did the same to us when we made a mistake.  Unfortunately ours came late in the game.  Yes we are disappointed about the outcome, but I am still proud of the way our players battled today. Katie [Baldonieri] had a great at bat every time she stepped in and we are all getting better with each game.”

There were a number of strong individual performances on the day including Baldonieri who went 3/7 at the plate. Kristine Kuchta led all Oberlin batters with five hits in the doubleheader and also stole second base three times. Chauvin contributed with three extra base hits, and both Sophie Schacht and Widmer each had a pair of hits.

Oberlin will look get back in the win column when they travel to Case Western on Thursday, April 15. The first pitch is scheduled for 3:30 pm EST.