UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, Ohio — The Wilmington College softball team wrapped up its 2023 season with an Ohio Athletic Conference split at John Carroll Sunday. The Quakers took game one 2-1 in eight innings while the Blue Streaks won the nightcap 7-1.
John Carroll led 1-0 going to the fourth. Clinton-Massie graduate Lindsey Carter, who celebrated Senior Day Saturday, tied the game in the fourth with a lead-off home run to left field.
The Quakers (16-22, 3-15) also threatened to score in the fifth and seventh innings, but failed to do so as a double play ended the top of the seventh. WC did, however, force JCU to go to its bullpen as Danielle Orendi was relieved with one out in the seventh. Aiyana Hancock pitched around a single by striking out two Blue Streaks in the bottom of the seventh.
The Quakers’ offense gave its pitcher the lead in the eighth. Logann Julian doubled to left center with one out and Samantha Schwab singled her home with two outs. Hancock retired JCU in order in the bottom of the eighth to finish her freshman campaign 3-0. The Marietta native earned the victory by scattering six hits and three walks with nine strikeouts.
Eight Wilmington players had a single hit with Carter and Julian providing the extra-base pokes.
In the second game, the Quakers had a runner in scoring position in three of the first four innings, but failed to score. The Blue Streaks tagged Hillary Huffer for a run on two hits in the third and two runs on two hits in the fourth. Alexis Stringfellow got the Quakers out of the fourth, and Schwab doubled home Judaea Wilson in the fifth.
Huffer took the loss for WC despite allowing just one earned run. Stringfellow, Holly Zeuch and Taylor Evans also pitched. Julian and Schwab accounted for half of the Quakers’ eight hits.
