Raiders Advance to OAC Title Series with Win Over #1 Seed Muskingum
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Meghan Simons |
The Raiders struck early scoring two runs in the top of the first inning. After outfielder Meghan Allen and pitcher/shortstop Meghan Simons reached base, catcher Mara Palombaro singled to right center driving in both. Mount Union added another run in the third as pitcher/first baseman Lindsey Royer led of the inning with a homerun giving the Raiders a 3-0 advantage.
The Muskies did rally and tie the game in the bottom of the fifth with three runs. Third baseman Heather Fields and second baseman Debbie Warner hit back-to-back homers for Muskingum and catcher Kari Hoying added an RBI single to tie the contest. The Raiders scored the winning run in the top of the sixth as Simons came through with a sacrifice scoring shortstop Alex Lucak.
In the circle, Mount Union threw a bit of a twist by starting Simons who had made only one pitching appearance all season long. She went four innings giving up two earned runs on just three hits. Royer (25-4) earned the win in relief striking out four batters.
Offensively, the Raiders were led by Palombaro who was 2-4 with runs batted in and third baseman Anna Horning who was 2-4.
Mount Union now advances to Saturday's title series to play the winner of #1 Muskingum and #3 Ohio Northern/#4 John Carroll at 4:30 p.m. With a double-elimination setup, the Raiders only need one win to claim its first ever OAC Tournament crown.
Today's win also snaps the Raiders' 19-game losing streak to Muskingum. Mount Union last defeated the Muskies in 2002.