Contact: Tim Ertle

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Game One Box / Game Two Box
 
URBANA, Ohio ­– The Ursuline College softball team dropped a pair of games against host Urbana University in what was the conference opener for both teams. Urbana took game one 6-1 and won the finale 2-1 in eight innings.

The Arrows slid to 6-6 overall and 0-2 in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference while the Blue Knights improved to 12-1 overall and 2-0 in conference play.

Junior shortstop Michele Hare led the offense with a 3-6 (.500) showing and freshman center fielder Rachel Wells chipped in three hits (3-7, .429).

Senior left fielder Megan Passwaiter and junior first baseman Natalie Huggins both had two hits while sophomore second baseman Sam Roberts picked up a base knock.

Junior pitcher Sarah Maxwell (3-3) took the loss in game one and senior Ciara Seymour (2-3) pitched well in game two but was dealt the loss despite the fact she struck out eight Blue Knights and didn't allow an earned run.

Game One: Urbana 6, Ursuline 1
Urbana scored three runs in the bottom of the fourth and Ursuline cut into the deficit with a run in the top of the sixth but the Blue Knights pushed three runs across in the bottom of the inning to put the game out of reach.

Shorstop Heather Hakola belted a two-run homer, her first of the year, off UC junior pitcher Sarah Maxwell to open the scoring. A two-out single by first baseman Katelyn Edwards later in the inning plated right fielder Bridgette Barney to make it a 3-0 game.

Ursuline’s senior left fielder Megan Passwaiter sparked the offense in the top of the sixth with a double to left center and later scored on a two-out single to center by junior first baseman Natalie Huggins.

The Blue Knights extended their lead in the sixth. Hakola started the frame with a single to left center and a bunt single put two on with nobody out. Urbana elected to sac bunt to put two runners in scoring postion, and then a double down the left field line by pitcher Haley Kolmerten scored both Hakola and catcher Morgan Haer. Kolmerten later scored herself when center fielder Amber Beeman doubled to left center with two outs, ultimately deciding the final outcome.

Maxwell scattered nine hits in her six innings of work. She allowed six runs, five of which were earned, while striking out five and walking one.

Kolmerten earned the win to improve to 7-0 on the young year. She allowed just the one run on three hits and struck out 12.

Game Two: Urbana 2, Ursuline 1 (Eight Innings)
The Blue Knights took an early lead off senior pitcher Ciara Seymour, striking for the game’s first run in the bottom of the first.

Second baseman Brooke Shultz singled to the pitcher and advanced to second on a walk before moving to third on a sacrifice bunt. She ultimately scored on an error by the catcher so the run wasn’t charged to Seymour.

Ursuline tied the game in the top of the third when they flipped the tables and capitalized on an Urbana miscue. Sophomore second baseman Sam Roberts reached on a throwing error by the shortstop. With two outs in the inning, freshman center fielder Rachel Wells laced a double to right center and the game was tied 1-1.

The Arrows had chances late in the game and stranded two runners in both the sixth and seventh inning. In total, Ursuline left 11 on base compared to just five Urbana base runners.

Nonetheless, Urbana won the game in the bottom of the eighth when center fielder Amber Beeman started the inning with a double to left center. She scored on the next play when Shultz bunted to third base and a throwing error allowed Beeman to come home and end the game.

Seymour pitched well in the losing effort. She allowed just five hits in what was officially seven innings of work. She recorded eight strikeouts and issued just one walk.

Urbana’s Lauren Anderson picked up the win to improve to 5-1. She worked all eight innings and allowed eight hits. She had seven strikeouts and walked a pair.

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The Arrows are scheduled to visit Wheeling Jesuit University on Monday (March 25) for a doubleheader that will begin at 3:00 p.m.

As always, we encourage you to check UrsulineArrows.com and follow us on Facebook and Twitter to see if anything changes as a result of the weather.