Tigers Battle To Split With Otterbein

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — The Wittenberg softball team moved to 11-7 overall with a home doubleheader against Otterbein Thursday. The Tigers dropped the early contest 3-2 but picked up the split with a 3-0 win in the second game.

Sophomore starting pitcher Rachel Ross (Westerville, Ohio/South) and senior first baseman Tori Amicon (Galloway, Ohio/Hilliard Darby) were instrumental in securing the split.

Ross pitched a three-hit shutout, leaving five runners on base between the fifth and sixth after holding the Cardinals hitless through the fourth. Ross also tossed eight strikeouts to improve to 5-3 on the season.

Amicon went 3-for-3 at the plate in the victory with an RBI that came as part of a two-run first inning on a single into center field. Amicon's RBI was preceded by an RBI groundout from sophomore Laura Rose (Riverside, Ohio/Stebbins).

Amicon later found herself in the right place at the right time, scoring from third on a passed ball in the fourth inning.

In the early game, Otterbein led 3-0 by the end of the third inning, and a two-run Tiger rally in the fifth fell just short.

Otterbein notched nine hits in the contest despite a strong performance by freshman Julia Williams (Glenview, Ill./Glenbrook South), who struck out four batters and allowed only two earned runs.

Amicon and senior Katelyn Davis (Bethesda, Ohio/Union Local) each picked up a hit in the game, including an RBI for Davis.

John Strawn '07