(RV) Softball avoids elimination with wins over Freed-Hardeman and Houston-Victoria

Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma – The University of Ottawa softball (RV) team survived two playoff games to advance to the opening round of the NAIA – OKC Bracket on Tuesday. OU beat Freed-Hardeman University, 2-1, and the University of Houston-Victoria, 3-2. Victory was victory number. 40 for the Braves. OU won 40 games for the fourth time in program history and the second straight season.

Freed-Hardeman W, 2-1
Ottawa broke a scoreless tie early in the third inning. Megan Kennedy was hit by a pitch then stole second to give OU a runner in scoring position. Addison Spencer doubled to left center, scoring Kennedy and the Braves led 1-0.

The Braves pushed another run to the plate in the top of the fourth. Kara Hafenstine was hit by a pitch and advanced to second on a stolen base. Reagan Hammons singled up the middle, moving Hafenstine 60 feet home. Cierra Faubion reached first on a single bunt. A throwing error by FHU’s first baseman scored Hafenstine, giving OU a 2-0 lead.

In the bottom of the seventh, the Lions tried to rally. FHU scored a run, had two runners on base and one out. The Braves managed to get two consecutive outs, winning 2-1.

Inside the box

Houston-Victoria W, 3-2

Ottawa struck first, taking the lead in the top of the first inning. Addison Spener reached first on an infield single to third. Katie Enneking doubled to center, scoring Spencer and the Braves had a 1-0 lead.
UHV responded with a run in the bottom of the first and tied the game 1-1.

That’s where the score remained until the start of the fifth inning. Ottawa pushed two runs at the plate to regain the lead. Rachel Pederson singled up the middle, then moved to second with a sacrifice bunt of Macy Roever. Spencer singled up the middle, scoring Pederson to give OU a 2-1 lead. OU scored one more run in the inning. Spencer took advantage of a Jaguar error, scoring from the second goal, and Ottawa led 3-1.

The Jaguars cut the Brave’s lead with a run in the bottom of the sixth inning, 3-2. But that was the last time UHV threatened. It was three wins and three losses for the OU defense in the seventh and the Braves took the win 3-2.

Inside the box

Who’s next

Ottawa (40-17) will play No. 1.2 Oklahoma City University in its third straight playoff game on Wednesday, May 15 in Oklahoma City. Ottawa will need to defeat the Stars twice to earn its fifth trip to the NAIA Softball World Series. The first pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.