With only four double headers left in the season, Oberlin softball is still in search of a conference victory. The Yeowomen have compiled a 1-20 season record and are 0-10 in the NCAC. As the end of the season rapidly approaches, the Yeowomen are swinging faster than ever to drive in the runs.

Saturday’s home game against Ursuline demonstrated Oberlin’s tactical defensive skills. Game one had a rocky start bringing Ursuline seven runs in the first two innings. The Yeowomen responded loudly with a triple from first-year Sophie Simon-Ortiz followed by a double from sophomore Ali Plotsky, driving Simon-Ortiz home.

After Ursuline squeaked four runs in the top of the fourth, senior Julia Daher replied with a powerful homerun clear past the fence at center field, good for two RBIs. A strong end to game one led to a quick, defensively strategic beginning to game two. The line of attack for game two was to maintain a fervent, consistent defense, and detain the opponent. The Yeowomen succeeded by slowing down Ursuline, but could not quite match their runs, ending game two with a score of 6-2.

With only one day of practice after the loss against Ursuline, Oberlin traveled to Hiram College and lost to their NCAC rival in a double header. The Yeowomen’s defense in game one was almost unstoppable until the bottom of the fifth when the Terriers accumulated four runs ending the game with a final score of 5-1.

Game two was truly a game of transition. “In the second game Hiram showed us three different pitchers, it was great that we showed our ability to adjust.  We hit off of all of them,” junior Kate Oberg said, having a successful hitting streak in game two.

The Terriers could not match Oberlin’s hitting, changing pitchers in the third, fourth, and seventh innings. “Once we got on a role hitting, the other team kept switching

“Pitchers. We got them all scared! We were hitting the holes,” first-year Steele Hearne said. The Yeowomen started making use of their bats with three hits driving in a run in the top of the third, and one run in the top of the fourth.

Pitching for Oberlin in game two was Simon-Ortiz who only allowed a total of two earned runs. “Sophie’s placement was really on in her pitching,” said Oberg, reflecting on the intensity of a one-point loss in the second game.

The seventh inning proved Oberlin to be an offensive force. Oberg loaded the bases on a catcher’s interference, and with a single from Hearne, the Yeowomen drove in the third run of the game. The bases continued to load with singles from Simon-Ortiz and Plotsky, bringing home sophomore Gen Lehr and Oberg.

The team’s effort and determination were prevalent and their desire to whack the ball was shown through their persistent hits.

“The real person who hit extremely well was Allie Plotsky who went four for four.  Steele Hearne also went three for four,” said Oberg, commending her teammates on a loss of 6-5.

As the season winds down, the Yeowomen have only a few weeks to garner a conference win. Oberlin’s next chance to obtain an NCAC win is this Saturday, scheduled for a noon start at Kenyon College.