Marietta Sweeps 'Berg; Seniors Honored

Unfortunately for Heidelberg College softball seniors Ashley Foust (Aurora, Ohio / Aurora), Nikki Lagendyk (Powell, Ohio / Olentangy), and Coree Price (Prospect, Ohio / North Union) they lost 8-0, 9-3 to Marietta College in their last home Ohio Athletic Conference doubleheader, but neither the losses nor the rain could dampen the festivities as they were recognized for their contributions to the program over the last four years in between games.

Heidelberg now stands at 6-24 for the year, 2-12 in the OAC, while Marietta rises to 17-11 overall, 7-7 in the conference.

The first game had both sides tossing shut outs until the top of the fourth inning when Marietta crossed two over the plate off a double to right by Sarah Gruner. The Pioneers scored again in the top of the seventh when they drove six runs in before the side retired.

Erin Faulkner threw a no-hitter on the mound for Marietta and walked only two to take the win. Katie Allenspach (Aurora, Ohio / Aurora) pitched all seven innings for Heidelberg. She struck out two, walked two, and gave up 12 hits in the loss.

In the second game, Marietta came out swinging and knocked in four runs before Krista Huffman was caught attempting to steal second to end the inning. Heidelberg finally plated three runs in the third to get back in the game. Foust drove in the first one with a single to right center and was followed by Katie Curry (Delaware, Ohio / Buckeye Valley) who doubled to right center and picked up two RBIs. The Pioneers answered back in the top of the fourth with three runs and added two more in the fifth to retain the lead and take the game.

Curry went 2-for-2 at the plate for the Berg with two runs, while Jerrica Sweetnich (Garfield Heights, Ohio / Garfield Heights) went 1-for-4 with a run and Jen Kerman (Willowick, Ohio / Regina) went 1-for-3 with one run as well.

Nicole Bachman (Elkhart, Ind. / Elkhart Memorial) started the game on the mound and received the loss. Kella Lange (Medina, Ohio / Medina) came in for her in the fourth for first collegiate appearance on the mound and allowed only one hit in 1.1 innings of work. Sweetnich came in and closed for the Berg in the sixth and struck out two.

Defensively for the day, Andrea Gerdeman (Ottawa, Ohio / Ottawa-Glandorf) led Heidelberg with 19 putouts, while Price, Allenspach, and Dessiree Burtch (Prospect, Ohio / Elgin) each contributed four assists apiece.

Heidelberg hits the road to face off against Otterbein College on Wednesday, April 23, at 3 p.m. in Westerville, Ohio.