Tigers knock off Alma, 11-1
Staff reports
NEW CONCORD, Ohio -- Seven runs in the top of the third enabled the DePauw University softball squad to get past Alma, 11-1, in five innings at the NCAA Division III Softball Regional at Muskingum College Friday.
The Tigers now advance to the winner's bracket where they'll face fifth-seeded Bridgewater, which defeated host and top-seed Muskingum, 3-2, in eight innings Friday.
DePauw took a 2-0 lead in the second inning when Jessica Bowlds and Laura Schlensker each hit two-out doubles and Chelsy Patterson drove in Schlensker with a single. Houston Verback's solo home run to left in the bottom of the second, however, closed the gap to 2-1.
Rachel Gill led off the DPU half of the third with a single and Kaitlyn Davitt reached by being hit by a pitch. Carolyn Bartlett then loaded the bases with a bunt single.
Lauren Rees drew a walk to give the Tigers a 3-1 lead before Bowlds drilled a double to lef, scoring Davitt and Bartlett.
Schlensker reached on an infield error, allowing Rees to score, before Patterson followed with a single up the middle which plated Bowlds and extended the lead to 7-1.
Kate Koechling replaced Kay McDonald on the mound and gave up a two-run single to Kristy Mahon. The Tigers added two more in the fifth after Schlensker led off with a single and moved to third when Patterson reached on a sacrifice bunt and moved to second on a throwing error on the play. Jessica Krueger then singled and drove in the final two.
DePauw tallied 11 hits as Patterson, Gill, Bowlds and Schlensker each had two. Alma finished with four hits.
Megan Soultz improved to 16-3 with the four-hitter, while McDonald dropped to 17-4.
At New Concord, Ohio
NCAA Division III Softball Regional
DePauw 027 02 -- 11 11 0
Alma 010 00 -- 1 4 3
Soultz and Gill; McDonald, Koechling (3) and Grier, Seals
WP -- Soultz
LP -- McDonald
2B -- Bowlds 2, Schlensker (DPU), Gaudard (A)
HR -- Verbeck (DPU)
Next Game -- The Tigers next face Bridgewater.