Sophomore Gia Saturday leads Softball in split with John Carroll
By Ashley Birchmeier
UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS — Sophomore Gia Saturday went 4-for-7 at the plate with three doubles to lead Ohio Northern softball in 5-6, 4-3 split with John Carroll Saturday afternoon at Bracken Field.
Northern moves to 12-10 overall, 2-2 Ohio Athletic Conference, while John Carroll moves to 7-9, 1-3.
Saturday recorded three RBIs on the day, while senior Amanda Lahti picked up two RBIs for the Polar Bears.
Freshman Kaitlin Surdej got the win in game two for Northern, pitching a complete game and improving to 5-5 overall on the season.
The Polar Bears fell behind early in game two as the Blue Streaks plated two runs in the bottom of the first inning.
ONU would finally find its offense in the top of the fourth inning as Saturday would double to right center, scoring junior Megan Hupp and advancing freshman Kylie Asmus to third.
Asmus would then score on a ground out from senior Amanda Lahti, tying the contest at 2-2.
In the fifth inning, Northern would use plate discipline to take its first lead on the contest.
Freshman Hailee Loughman would open the inning with a walk, before advancing to second on a SAC bunt by Surdej.
Sophomore Anna Martin reached on a hit by pitch, placing runners on first and second.
Sophomore Jenna Hollar would load the bases as Asmus drew a walk, scoring the game-leading run.
Saturday would then record her third RBI on the day as she also drew a walk, plating what would be the game winning run.
John Carroll would homer in the bottom of the sixth inning scoring the games final run in the 4-3 decision.
In game one, the Polar Bears offense went to work early as Hollar singled and advanced to second setting the stage for Lahti to drive in the contest first run.
John Carroll would respond in the bottom half of the inning plating three runs, taking the 3-1 advantage.
Northern would tie the game in the top of the sixth inning as sophomore Kirsten Lightel would reach on a John Carroll miscue scoring Saturday.
Freshman Laura Burden plated the game tying run later in the inning following an RBI single from Hupp that would advance Lightel to scoring position.
The John Carroll defense would combat the threat leaving three runners stranded for ONU.
The Blue Streaks would take the 4-3 lead in the bottom half of the inning putting pressure on theNorthern offense.
In a live or die situation, the Northern offense prevailed as Saturday plated the game tying run in the top of the seventh inning. ONU would add another run off an RBI single from Hupp taking the 5-4 advantage.
However, John Carroll would continue to have success at the dish as they loaded the bases setting up the go ahead single to win the game.
Northern returns to action Wednesday at 3pm as they welcome OAC opponent Otterbein to the ONU Softball Field.