Polar Bears top John Carroll 8-0 to advance in OAC Tournament

May 3, 2008

By Tim Glon

NEW CONCORD — Ohio Northern bounced back from a lackluster performance on Friday to defeat John Carroll 8-0 in elimination game of the 2008 Ohio Athletic Conference Softball Tournament Saturday afternoon at Muskingum.

The third-seeded Polar Bears (28-12) will now face top-seeded and No. 11-ranked Muskingum at 2:30 pm in the semifinals of the loser's bracket in the double-elimination tournament.

The contest was called with two out in the bottom of the fifth inning due to the NCAA's 8-run rule.

John Carroll, the tournament's fourth seed, ends its season at 17-21.

Tina Mangola drilled a two-out, two-run double to cap a four-run fifth inning to end the contest.

ONU were leading John Carroll 1-0 in the third inning of Game 4 Friday evening when play was suspended due to a passing line of thunderstorms.

When play resumed at 1 pm Saturday, Mangola led off the bottom of the third with a single to left, starting a 3-run rally that would give ONU a comfortable 4-0 advantage.

Mangola was 2-for-3 with two runs scored and her two RBI to lead the ONU offense.

Courtney Cash (12-6) threw a five-hit shutout to earn the complete game victory and her second shutout of the season.

Katie Salay drilled a ttwo-run double to key the 3-run third frame.

The winner of the ONU-Muskingum game will face No. 20-ranked Mount Union in the finals at 4:30 pm.

If necessary, a Game 7 will be held on Sunday.

Northern opened the tournament with a 5-1 loss to Mount Union Friday morning. MtU used three ONU errors to score five unearned runs in the bottom of the third inning to take a 5-0 lead and cruised to the win.