Winter Haven, Florida – The Oberlin College softball team played their fifth and sixth games of the week at the DiamondPlex in Florida. A close battle in game one saw the Yeowomen fall 2-1 to Wisconsin- Platteville but the team rebounded in their second game for 5-3 victory over Washington & Jefferson. Overall, the Crimson and Gold improve to 3-7 ahead of their last double-header tomorrow.
 
The OC first-year Hailey Alspach earned the starting pitcher gig, throwing 6.2 innings, tallying a trio of strikeouts. Jess Friedman came in to relieve the rookie hurler in the seventh inning, closing the game on a pop-up out.
 
For the second-straight game, Maria Chutko had three hits on her four at bats, while only meeting with home plate once. Alaina Di Dio had the sole RBI off a hit to right center while Mia Brito was the only other player to have multiple hits in the game at two.
 
Oberlin jumped right out of the gates in game one as Di Dio single to right center giving Chutko the green light home. The bats continued to hit after the first inning score, but with runners left stranded on the bases Oberlin was unable to increase their lead. The Pioneers came out on the right end of a 5-1 score, giving Oberlin the game one loss.
 
In game two, Katie Austin pitched all seven innings and recorded five strikeouts to earn her second win of the season. Chutko recorded another multi-hit game with a pair and a run in the leadoff slot. Brito, Loren Cater, and Kathryn Beeman also tallied hits in the low-offense game, highlighted by Beeman's double to center field in the seventh inning to bring Lalli Lopez home.
 
The Yeowomen started off strong with a Di Dio Rbi before Kailey Dunham reached first base on a throwing error that allowed Brito to score. Up 2-1 in the fourth, the Yeowomen found themselves on defense with the bases loaded. With just one out, Austin struck out her batter before Maya Means assisted Lopez in a fielder's choice to get out of the inning unscathed.
 
Austin came in clutch again late in the seventh inning after pinch running for Beeman. The pitcher stole third then rounded base to home plate after a throwing error by the catcher. Up 5-1 with the bottom half of the inning remaining, the Crimson and Gold held off a late rally by the Presidents to secure the 5-3 victory.
 
Oberlin takes on their last day of Florida competition tomorrow, March 24 starting with a 9am game against Colby. The Yeowomen then cap the trip off with Middlebury at 2pm. A live stream for the games is available here, with live stats for game one here and game two here.
 
Fans can watch all the home matches live online. Home contests can be accessed on a TV through the official Oberlin College Sports Network app on Roku, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire TV.