Softball Goes 1-1 Against Earlham in Non-Conference Doubleheader

RICHMOND, IN – Wittenberg Softball went 1-1 on the day in a non-conference doubleheader against Earlham, Tuesday, March 31, at Ellie Bewley Softball Stadium.

Wittenberg posted a 5-2 victory in game one, then fell 6-3 in game two, and is now 11-9 on the season and 1-1 in the North Coast Athletic Conference. Earlham is now 11-11 on the season.

The Tigers scored two in the first, one in the fifth, and two more in the sixth on seven total hits, while holding Earlham to just one run in the first and another in the third on nine total hits.

Shyann Beddow (Kearns, UT / Kearns) led the offense with two hits, including a double. Others who got in on the hit parade included Gada Bryant (Westville, IL / Bismarck-Henning), Kayla Drake (Wilmington, OH / Clinton-Massie), Bekah Giel (Amelia, OH / West Clermont), Meghan McCans (Arcanum, OH / Arcanum), and Kirsten Wright (Springfield, OH / Kenton Ridge). Bryant had two RBIs, while Wright and Ryleigh Johnson (Franklin, OH / Springboro) added one each. Beddow, Bryant, McCans, Giel, and Wright each scored a run. Beddow, Giel, and McCans each stole a base.

Phoebe Underwood (Seymour, IN / Seymour) went 6.1 innings on the mound to pick up her fourth win of the season. She allowed two runs on seven hits, walked one, and struck out another. Lilly James (Troy, OH / Troy) picked up her fifth save of the season. She gave up two hits and a walk while striking out two in less than an inning of work in relief of Underwood.

Earlham came out looking for revenge in game two, putting five runs on the board in the first inning and one more in the second on eight hits en route to the 6-3 win. Wittenberg scored one in the first but couldn't muster up any offense until the sixth inning, when the Tigers plated two more. The Tigers had three runs on six hits in the loss. 

Beddow again led the offense with two hits, including another double. Others who contributed hits included Bryant, Cyphers, Giel, and McCans. Beddow, Bryant, and Giel each scored a run, while Cyphers had a double and two RBI, and Wright added another RBI. Bryant got two stolen bases, while Beddow, Cyphers, Drake, and McCans each grabbed another. McCans now has 18 total stolen bases on the season and is just four away from going over 100 in her career at Witt. Drake is currently leading the team with a .412 batting average and a team-leading 11 RBI.

Sophie Newsom (Worthington, OH / Thomas Worthington) took the loss in the pitcher's circle and is 0-1 on the season. 

Up Next

Wittenberg will get back to NCAC play, hosting Ohio Wesleyan on April 4 in a doubleheader with games at 1 and 3 p.m.

Written By: Cindy Holbrook