With just two more regular season games left, the Oberlin softball team is looking for a way to pick up their first conference win. They will have their opportunity with an exciting match-up against Denison University this Saturday.

Oberlin was ecstatic during its April 21 match-up against the Wittenberg University Tigers, determined to break its conference slump. Despite a strong effort, the Yeowomen fell in a doubleheader to the Tigers 0-6, 0-17.

First-year Lauren Luther led the Yeowomen offensive with two hits, including a double early in the game. Cameron Catalfu and sophomore pitcher Rachael Hatcher led Wittenberg. Catalfu accumulated five hits and four runs, while Hatcher tossed a no-hitter, retiring 21 batters.

The following day, Oberlin traveled to Hiram College for another doubleheader. In the bottom of the first, Chastine Romanello put Hiram on the board with a RBI double, giving her squad a 2-0 advantage.

Hiram went on to score runs in the fourth and sixth innings to clinch the victory 6-0. Senior pitcher Jenna Nemeth threw seven innings for the Terriers, allowing just five hits in the match-up.

In the second game, the Yeowomen got an early 1-0 lead, with a base hit from junior Spencer McCaffrey. The Terriers would go on a hot scoring streak with five runs in the second inning; Hiram would add more runs later in the game as Oberlin fell 1-9.

Despite the loss, McCaffrey led Oberlin as she hit 3-6 with a double in both games. Sophomore pitcher Michelle Zanni allowed five hits and no earned runs in three innings.

“Offensively, Lauren Luther and Spencer McCaffrey have been leading the way. Both are smart at the plate and have been getting great at-bats,” said Head Coach Adrienne Davis. 

The Terriers were paced offensively by Heidi Gipson and Megan Samuel. Samuel went 6-8 with three runs scored and a stolen base. Gipson was 3-3 at the plate.

“Our defense has been unbelievably solid over the past few games. We’re still trying a variety of players in new positions and they’re all doing a fabulous job,” said Davis. “We need to learn to string hits together to get more run production, but that will just come with experience. We’ve still got a very young team, so I’m super excited for the future.”

The Oberlin record stands 1-23 overall, and 0-12 in conference play. The team will battle it out on Saturday against Denison University at 1 p.m. Despite the recent slide, Davis remains optimistic the team can claim a couple victories in the final two doubleheaders of the season.

“We play Saturday against Denison and Monday at CCC, so hopefully our past week of practices will prepare us to come out strong against these two teams,” said Davis.