Game One Box l Game Two Box

Oberlin, Ohio – On a day where Oberlin celebrated the dedication of the Mary Culhane Field, the Yeowomen earned a split in doubleheader action dropping the first game 20-0, but rebounding in emphatic fashion to earn the first ever win over Wittenberg in school history - with a 5-run, 2-hit shutout that allowed the final score to read Oberlin 5, Wittenberg 0.

The opening game was all about Wittenberg. The visiting Tigers pounded out eighteen hits and scored twenty runs in a score shortened five inning contest. Nearly half of Wittenberg's runs came on three three-run bombs, two of which were hit by shortstop Jessica Snyder. Senior flame-thrower Brooke Boswell pitched 4 1/3 innings of no-hit ball before a seeing-eye single by Katie Baldonieri broke up the perfect game.

The Oberlin story though really came in the second game, as the Yeowomen got to Burke with back-to-back-to-back singles by Kristen Dix, Brittany Dawson, and Julia Chauvin. An error by Wittenberg's second baseman allowed a run to score and a fielder's choice pushed another Oberlin run across. Chauvin's first inning hit was the 100th of her career, making her the first woman in Oberlin Softball History to reach that plateau.

Oberlin was at it again in the second inning with singles from Cheryl Lindsly and Kristine Kuchta. The big hit of the inning was a two-out single by Dawson to score both runners. Chauvin approached the plate and delivered again with an RBI single that scored Dawson.

While the offense clicked early on, senior Jen Sees pitched 5.1 innings of no-hit ball of her own to start game two.

Head Coach Adrienne Davis commented, “Jen pitched flawlessly and really pounded the strike zone all game. We have been trying to get her to do that all year and let our terrific defenders make plays. She dealt with the pressure of a no-hitter and some adversity when they broke through late in the game. I thought she executed the game plan seamlessly and was a huge part of this milestone win for our program.”

Wittenberg laced two one-out singles in the sixth inning breaking up the perfect game for Sees; but once again the defense buckled down and retired the side before Wittenberg could even get a runner to third base.

The terrific defenders that Coach Davis eluded to were in full force on this day.  All game long Chauvin and Kuchta swallowed potential hits on the left side of the infield. At first base Megan Widmer also played spectacular in the field; picking several balls out of the dirt, saving an errant throw from Sees, and making an acrobatic catch over her shoulder in foul territory to record an out in the fifth inning.  Several other terrific plays were made in the outfield.  In fine fashion the defense came through one final time in the top of the seventh as Kuchta turned a scorching ground ball up the middle into a routine looking 6-4-3 double play to seal the victory.

Coach Davis said, “I couldn't be more proud of every member of our team. They worked together and everyone contributed in this victory. We played great team defense and were confident in every at bat against a very good pitcher. “

Oberlin played Wittenberg close twice last year before falling 3-2 and 2-1, but it was the improved offense, outstanding team defense and pitching performance from Sees that allowed Oberlin to defeat the Tigers for the first time in school history.

Oberlin will look to continue in the form of today's second game as they wrap up this six-game home stand with a non-conference doubleheader against Thiel College on Monday. The first pitch is scheduled for 3:30 pm EST at Mary Culhane Field.