SWEDES TAKE DOWN NO. 16 BRAVES IN A SPLIT AT OTTAWA

Ottawa, Kan. - The Swedes traveled to Ottawa University to play the Braves for the second to last doubleheader of the regular season. The Swedes brought the intensity both games, winning game one 4-3 in extra innings, and dropping game two in a close 2-1 loss. 

Game 1

The Swedes got on the board in the top of the 2nd inning when Shantell Evans hit a line shot over the left field fence on the first pitch of her at bat, putting the Swedes up 1-0. 

The Swedes scored another run in the top of the 3rd inning when Lilliana Martinez doubled to right center, scoring Amaris Guerra from first base who reached on a walk, putting the Swedes up 2-0. 

The Braves would not score a run until the bottom of the 6th inning when Melvin hit a 2 RBI ground ball single up the middle, scoring Newbold and Bunfill, who had reached base on a single and a walk, 2-2. 

No team scored in the 7th inning, leading to the top of the 8th. Kierstyn McMillen started on second base and advanced to third with a sac bunt by Guerra. Martinez then drew a walk and advanced to second base with a stolen base. Melinda Cratty then doubled to left center on the first pitch, scoring McMillen and Martinez making the score 4-2. 

The Braves then started with Morris on second base who advanced to third on a ground ball out. An infield error then scored Morris making the score 4-3 with one out. A groundout and popout would then solidify an upset against the No. 16 Braves as the Swedes took game one 4-3. 

Pitching for the Braves was Mercer who pitched a full 8 innings, only giving up 3 hits and 3 earned runs while walking 5 and striking out 6 Swedes. 

Newbold led the Braves in hits, going 2-for-4 at the plate with a run. Melvin went 1-for-2 at the plate with 2 RBIs that tied the game up in the bottom of the 6th. 

Sasha Martello toed the mound for the Swedes collecting the win against the Braves. Martello threw 8 complete innings, allowing 3 hits and 2 earned runs while walking 3 and striking out 3 Braves. 

Shantell Evans went 1-for-3 with a home run, Lilliana Martinez went 1-for-3 with an RBI double and Melinda Cratty went 1-for-4 with a 2 RBI double in the top of the 8th to put the Swedes on top. 

Game 2 

The low scoring game was due to a strong pitching performance on both sides of the field. The Braves punched in a run in the bottom of the 2nd inning when Melvin doubled to left field, scoring Copeland. 

The Swedes broke the shutout in the top of the 4th inning when Myranda Jimenez hit a sac fly, allowing Kierstyn McMillen to tag up and score, tying the game up 1-1. 

Ottawa regained the lead in the bottom of the 5th inning when Newbold singled to center field, scoring Morris, putting the Braves up 2-1.

Kippes from the Braves threw a complete 7 inning game only allowing 2 hits and 1 run to score while walking 2 and striking out 5.

Lilliana Martinez threw 6 innings, giving up 4 hits, 1 earned run, 2 walks and collected 5 strikeouts. 

Kat Range and Sasha Martello collected the 2 hits for the Swedes.

Up next…

The Swedes will travel to Bartlesville, OK to compete against the Oklahoma Wesleyan University Eagles in the last regular season double header of the year. First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 PM on Tuesday, April 25th.

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