Bensing throws a 1-hitter as No. 25 Softball edges Alma (Mich.) 2-1 to advance to semifinals in NCAA III Regional Tournament
By Tim Glon
ALMA, Mich. -- Junior Abbey Bensing threw a 1-hitter as No. 25 Ohio Northern edged Alma (Mich.) 2-1 in the second round of the NCAA III Regionals Friday afternoon at Scots Field.
The Polar Bears improve to 28-11, while the host Scots fall to 29-13.
Second-seeded ONU advances in the winner's bracket semifinals and will face top-seeded and No. 16-ranked Trine (Ind.) Saturday at 2 pm.
Third-seeded Alma moves to the loser's bracket and will face fifth-seeded John Carroll in an elimination game Saturday at Noon.
Bensing allowed just one hit and walked three in the game to improve to 12-6 on the season. She allowed just two balls to be hit out of the infield in the game and none in the final four innings.
"Abbey threw a great game," ONU head coach Kim Burke said. "But our defense as equally outstanding. Cassie Gaye and Ashley Sujkowski each made several terrific defensive plays and our entire infield was outstanding. Offensively, we only had four hits, but got them when we needed them."
After two scoreless innings, Alma got on the board in the top of the third inning on a 1-out, RBI goundout.
The Polar Bears tied the game at 1-1 in the bottom of the third on a 2-out double over the left fielder's head by freshman Kelly Sherida, which scored speedy sophomore Christin Miller from first base.
Senior All-American Kimi Blewett then smoked a single past the third baseman to score Sheridan and put Ohio Northern up 2-1.
Sheridan went 2-for-4 to lead the ONU offense.
