NEW CONCORD – The Wilmington College softball team came within one out of defeating Muskingum University for the first time in program history, but the Fighting Muskies rallied for a 5-4 win in nine innings in game one and took game two 12-4 in six innings in the Ohio Athletic Conference opener for both teams Saturday.

Hayley Suchland had a two-run single in the fifth to tie the game at 2-2 then Alecia Kemp and Allison Pierce produced runs for a 4-2 WC lead.

Muskingum (16-2 overall and 2-0 in the OAC) tied the game in the seventh then won it in the ninth on a single by Shaena Mayer.

Grace Shell took just her first loss of the season allowing five earned runs on 11 hits with six strikeouts in 8.2 innings.

In game two, Wilmington trailed 10-0. WC scored four runs in the fourth on RBI hits by Suchland and Kemp. Suchland took the loss on the mound, allowing eight earned runs on 10 hits in three innings. Both Hunter Salyers and Alexis Stringfellow allowed two runs in relief.

Kemp finished 2-for-3 with two RBIs for Wilmington while Hughes.