Softball

 

Bats Go Quiet as Crusaders Drop Doubleheader

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Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score

COLUMBUS – The Capital University softball team played solidly all day Sunday, but couldn't muster enough offense in a pair of losses against Muskingum in an Ohio Athletic Conference doubleheader at Clowson Field.

Despite hitting two home runs, the Crusaders (20-11 overall, 5-4 OAC) dropped the first game 4-3 before falling 3-0 in the nightcap. The team moved to fourth place in the standings with eight games to play.

The Muskies improved to 17-13 overall and 6-4 in conference play with the sweep.

Capital, which entered the day unbeaten at Clowson Field in OAC play, tied the first game at 2-2 in the bottom of the second on a two-run homer to left field by senior Jessica Stoltz (Englewood, Ohio; at right).

After Muskingum tallied twice in the top of the fourth, freshman LeAnna Cotton (Okeechobee, Fla.) cut the Crusaders' deficit in half with a home run, her third of the season, down the left field line.

Capital threatened in each of the final three frames, putting a runner on in each inning, including twice in scoring position, but was unable to bring the tying run across.

Freshman pitcher Alyssa Patznick (Newark, Ohio) dropped to 12-4 with the loss, scattering nine hits over seven innings with three strikeouts.

Freshman Kelsey Swain (Pickerington, Ohio) singled twice and scored for the Crusaders.

In the second contest, Capital recorded its first hit in the bottom of the fifth and ended the game with just two hits total. The Muskies scored only in the top of the fifth on a two-out, three-run double.

Sophomore pitcher Jessica Montgomery (Newark, Ohio) took the hard-luck loss to move to 6-5. Montgomery struck out five while allowing seven hits.

Junior Lexi Majoy (Huron, Ohio) and sophomore Courtney Dingess (Johnstown, Ohio) registered the lone Crusader hits.

Capital returns to the diamond Tuesday for a key league doubleheader at Mount Union. First pitch of the twin bill is set for 3:30 p.m. in Alliance, Ohio.