24th-ranked softball splits games on final day at Pioneer Classic

The 24th-ranked Muskingum softball team split the final day at the Pioneer Classic on Sunday afternoon. Muskingum dropped game one to Wartburg 6-2, and won game two against Anderson, 6-3.

The Basics – Game 1

Records: Muskingum (9-4), Wartburg (13-5)

Location: Elizabethtown Sports Park – Elizabethtown, Ky.

Inside the Numbers

• Muskingum finished with two runs on seven hits.
• Junior Sarah Piteo led the Muskies with two hits and an RBI.
• Senior Haley Hawk added a hit and chipped in an RBI to round out the Muskie scoring effort.
• Junior Taylor Gallentine added two hits and a stolen base.
• Senior Cristianna Boggs and senior Katie Osburn ended the contest with one hit apiece.
• Sophomore Madelyn Thomas fired 10 strikeouts in six innings of work on the mound. 
• Jordan Swiatkowski paced the Knight offense with a hit and three RBIs.

How it Happened

• The Muskies jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the first inning off a Hawk RBI single.
• The Knights were able to even the score in the third inning off a sacrifice fly to left field.
• Muskingum reclaimed a 2-1 lead in the fifth inning off a Piteo RBI double. 
• Wartburg plated five runs in the top of the seventh to secure a 6-2 victory over the Muskies. 

The Basics – Game 2

Records: Muskingum (10-4), Anderson (2-6)

Location: Elizabethtown Sports Park – Elizabethtown, Ky. 

Inside the Numbers

• Muskingum finished with six runs on 10 hits.
• Senior Hannah Smith earned her fifth win of the season on the mound for the Muskies. Smith pitched a complete game, allowing three runs off five hits and registered seven strikeouts.
• Hawk went 2-for-3 at the plate and had on RBI.
• Sophomore Mattie Ruehrmund finished with two hits and an RBI.
• Piteo and sophomore Autumn Chorba each contributed a hit and RBI to round out the Muskie scoring efforts.
• Gallentine added two hits, while senior Katie Osburn added a hit to pace the Muskie bats.
• Ashley Wheeler led Anderson with a hit and two RBIs.
• Molly Buck was dealt with the loss tossing six innings. She allowed four runs on eight hits.

How it Happened

• Muskingum took advantage of two Raven errors to plate the first run of the game in the top half of the first.
• Anderson tied the score at one off a single up the middle. 
• The Ravens used a two-run and two-hit third inning to take a 3-1 lead.
• Back-to-back hits from Piteo and Hawk tied the ballgame at three at the top half of the fifth.
• The Muskies secured the lead in the top of the seventh off a Ruehmrund bunt which placed her to third due to Anderson throwing errors. 
• A Chorba ground ball to third would plate Ruehmrund to extend the Muskie lead 6-3.
• Clutch defensive stops and pitching would shut down the Anderson offense and secure a Muskie, 6-3 victory.

Up Next

Muskingum returns to action on Wednesday, March 23 when they host Wittenberg at Donna J. Newberry Field. First pitch is set for 3:30 PM.