WESTERVILLE, Ohio - On Thursday, April 20th your Mount St. Joseph University softball team traveled to Otterbein to take on the Cardinals in a non-conference double-header. The Lions had success in game one behind a big game from Freshman
Courtney Keller. Keller finished game one 2-3 from the plate while extending her home run record to 11 while knocking in 3 runs. In game two, the Lions trailed early but fought back in the 6th. However, the Cardinals managed to hold on to their lead taking game two 8-5.
GAME ONE | MSJ - 7 Â Â Â OTTERBEIN - 1
In game one, the Lions got off to a fast start.
Ali Lang led off the contest with a bunt single followed by a sacrifice from
Kelsi Stevenson, moving Lang to 2nd base.
Macy Cornelius would then draw a walk before Lang advanced to 3rd on a passed ball. Cornelius would next steal 2nd followed by a sacrifice fly from
Courtney Keller to get the scoring started. Following the sacrifice fly, Kemp would draw another walk, putting runners at the corners with 2 outs.
Maddie Kennedy would then deliver for the Lions singling to left field bringing in Cornelius. After a wild pitch, both runners would advance to scoring position as the Lions looked to take advantage again with 2 outs.
Elizabeth Ivers then delivered a clutch 2-out base knock driving in a pair to give the Lions a 4-0 lead in the 1st.
Casey Kemp took the circle for the Lions in game one and started off well. Two batters would get on base but Kemp would get out of a jam with 0 runs given up. In the top of the 2nd the Lions continued to add to their lead. Lang would reach base again for the Lions and advanced to 2nd on a wild pitch. Stevenson followed with a walk while both again advanced on a wild pitch, setting up 2 runners in scoring position with 1 out.
Courtney Keller would again deliver for The Mount lacing a ball through the left side scoring the Lions 5th run. The Cardinals would then make a change in the circle but
Casey Kemp did not change her approach. Kemp stepped to the plate and served a single through the left side scoring another run giving the Lions a 6-0 lead in just the 2nd inning.
Kemp provided 2 more innings of scoreless softball before the Lions would strike again. In the top of the 4th
Courtney Keller continued to increase her single-season home run record crushing a ball to left center extending the Lions lead to 7-0. In the bottom of the 4th,
Peri Foust took the circle for the Lions, relieving Kemp. Foust gave up a quick run via a long ball but bounced back quickly retiring the side. Following the home run, Foust pitched spectacular for the Lions. Foust sent the Cardinals down in order the next 3 innings leading the Lions to a 7-1 game one victory.
GAME TWO | MSJ - 5 Â Â Â OTTERBEIN - 8
In game two, it was Otterbein who got off to a fast start. The Cardinals padded the scorebook in the 1st pushing across 4 runs to begin the game. Keller started the game in the circle but
Lauryn Miller came in relief to close out the 1st inning. Miller provided another solid inning in the 2nd as the Lions began to fight back in the 3rd.
Kaci Finchum led off the 3rd with a walk followed by a sacrifice from
Emily McDonald. Finchum then advanced to 3rd on a wild pitch as
Ali Lang drew a walk herself. The Lions again took advantage of a wild pitch from Otterbein as Finchum came into score and Lang went all the way to 3rd.
Kelsi Stevenson was now at the plate for the Lions who singled through the left side scoring Lang and cutting the Otterbein lead to just 4-2.
In the bottom of the 3rd, the Cardinals would answer back. Otterbein again pushed 4 runs across extending their lead to 8-2.
Josi Morrison then came in to pitch for the Lions getting them out of a jam in the bottom of the 3rd. The Lions were quiet in the 4th and the 5th before striking again in the 6th.
Maddie Kennedy got the inning going with a single through the left side.
Josi Morrison would then walk followed by a single from
Elizabeth Ivers, scoring Kennedy to cut the deficit to 8-3.
Kaci Finchum would draw her 2nd walk of the game loading the bases for the Lions with 2 outs.
Sara Kardos then came in to pitch hit for the Lions and did not disappoint. Kardos singled up the middle scoring a pair to trim the Cardinals' lead to 8-5. But, the Lions could not push across any more runs falling to the Cardinals 8-5.
UP NEXT: Your Mount St. Joseph Lions are back in action on Saturday, Aprill 22nd when the Lions travel to Anderson, Ind. to take on HCAC foe Anderson Ravens. The double-header game times are scheduled for 1pm & 3pm.
