Freshman Kylie Asmus leads Ohio Northern Softball as they advance to day two of the OAC Tournament

By Ashley Birchmeier

The Polar Bears move to 24-18 on the season and advance to day two of the OAC Tournament.

Northern dropped the Tournament opener to no. 3 seed Muskingum 7-5, before coming back in dominate fashion to defeat no. 1 seed Otterbein 10-2 in an elimination game.

The Polar Bears found themselves trailing 1-0 after an inning of play in the contest with Otterbein.

Sophomore Jenna Hollar would lead ONU in the bottom of the first inning as she doubled down the left field line.

She would later advance to third on a hit from Asmus before the Cardinals were able to retire the side.

Hollar would find herself in a similar situation in the bottom of the third inning after stealing second and advancing to third on an Otterbein miscue.

However, the Cardinal defense held strong and once again eliminated the threat.

Otterbein would plate another run in the top of the fourth inning before the Northern offense came alive.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, Northern plated four runs on four hits as Asmus once again went yard putting the Polar Bears on top 4-2.

Freshman Kaitlin Surdej would go to work in the circle in the top of the sixth completing the inning in three-up three down fashion.

Northern would load the bases in the bottom of the sixth inning before plating another run as senior Amanda Lahti took one for the team scoring sophomore Anna Martin.

Saturday would follow it up with an RBI double to deep center extending the lead to 7-2.

Huddle would build on the momentum scoring two more runs before sophomore Leanna Henry sealed the victory with an RBI single to left.

Asmus led ONU in the contest with Muskingum blasting a home run, while picking up two RBIs.

The freshman led off the contest with a no-doubt home run to right center in the bottom of the first inning that put Northern on top 1-0.

Muskingum would respond in the top of the third inning tying the contest 1-1 before Northern used a two out rally in the bottom half of the inning to take a commanding lead, scoring four runs on three hits.

Hupp led off the inning with a walk setting the stage for Asmus.

The freshman picked up her second RBI of the contest as she hit a shot to left field that would score Hupp.

Lahti would then record her first hit of the contest as she scored Asmus on a deep single to left field pushing the ONU lead to 3-1.

Sophomore Gia Saturday would then place two more in scoring position for sophomore Miranda Huddle who cleared the base paths with a two RBI double to left center putting the Polar Bears on top 5-1.

The Fighting Muskies responded in the top of the fifth inning plating three runs of its own to pull within 5-4.

Muskingum would finally take the 7-5 advantage in the top of the sixth after a two out rally plated three runs.

Surdej led ONU on the day, pitching a complete game recording five strike outs in the win.

Northern returns to action Saturday morning as they take on Muskingum in day two of OAC Tournament action.