PORTSMOUTH, Ohio (Softball) – Allie Chapman (SR/Chesapeake, Ohio) and Hannah Thacker (FR/Dry Ridge, Ky.) each provided complete-game performances Tuesday afternoon, as the Shawnee State softball team coasted to a pair of victories, 9-0 and 5-1, over Ohio Christian University in non-conference action at Boone Coleman Field
In game one, the Bears did all the damage in the second and third innings, putting up a five-spot in the second and following with four more in the latter frame.
Heidi Hall (SO/Greenwich, Ohio) kicked things off with in the third with a two-RBI single, plating Kelsey Jenkins (SR/Wheelersburg, Ohio) and Morgan McReynolds (FR/Covington, Ohio). One batter later – following an infield single from Thacker – Hannah Dittoe (JR/Pickerington, Ohio) cleared the bases with a double over the head of the center fielder, handing the Bears a 5-0 lead.
In the fourth, with a pair of runners on second and third, starting pitcher Allie Chapman helped her own cause with an RBI single, and Miranda Melvin (SO/Oak Hill, Ohio) followed with a two-RBI double to left field. Hall followed with an RBI single to cap the scoring.
Chapman did the rest of the work, finishing off the five-inning contest with nine strikeouts while allowing just two hits and walking none. The left-hander moved to 1-1 with the complete-game victory.
Game two seemed off to a similar start when the Bears plated three runs in the opening frame. With one away, Thacker drew a walk and Dittoe put runners on the corners with a single. After Dittoe stole second, Rachael Ash (FR/Grove City, Ohio) knocked in the pair with a single. Jordyn Pennington (FR/Minford, Ohio) added an RBI single to score Abbi Sparks (FR/Wheelersburg, Ohio) in the frame.
From there the scoring ceased for the Bears, as Ohio Christian cut the deficit to two with an RBI single from Lee Griffin in the third.
The Bears broke it open with two more in the fifth. Dittoe opened the frame with a walk and scored when Jenkins doubled to left. Pennington followed with an RBI infield single, bringing the score to its final, 5-1, score.
Thacker earned the victory in the contest, going a complete game while allowing just the one run on five hits. The freshman – appearing in her first game in the circle – struck out seven and walked a pair.
