Tiffin University (15-9, 5-1 G-MAC) found numerous ways to win in a doubleheader sweep of Northwood, winning 1-0 and 10-2 in 6 innings.
The opening game was a pitcher's duel, as Tiffin did not manage a hit until the 7th inning. With two outs,
Ella Esterby singled. Pinch hitter
Molly Koesters then dropped a single into the right-center field gap with Esterby blazing home all the way from first and sliding in just ahead of the throw to win the game.
Esterby's scoring sprint also made her the winning pitcher, as she went 7 innings and allowed just 4 hits with 3 strikeouts in the shutout.
The second game saw the Dragons' bats come alive as they had 12 hits and took advantage of a big 6-run second inning.
TU scored in every inning except the fourth. In the first,
Tori McPherson doubled and came home on
Jessica Miller's double to make it 1-0.
In the second, walks to Esterby and
Gwen McMenemy along with a single by
Jadyn Bassi loaded the bases.
McKenna Scott's single drove in one run. Three straight walks to McPherson, Miller, and
Reagan Mengerink resulted in three more runs and Northwood's second pitching change of the inning. With two outs, Esterby singled to drive in two more runs as TU took a 7-1 lead.
In the third, a McMenemy walk and stolen base put her in scoring position. A dropped popup to the pitcher allowed her to score as Tiffin upped its lead to 8-2.
In the fifth, pinch hitter
Macy Brazelton singled and moved to second on Scott's walk. McPherson then singled to left field for another run.
In the sixth, TU loaded the bases on three straight singles by
Ryan Wallace,
Tori Abel, and Bassi. A throwing error at second base allowed the final run to score and end the game.
Lexi Key got the win, allowing 2 earned runs on 6 hits over 6 innings.
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