Behind a one-hit gem on the bump from Cassie Berry in Game 1, a complete game four-hitter from Emma Wargel in Game 2 and a go-ahead RBI base knock from Allison Tom in the sixth inning in Game 2, the Shawnee State softball program was able to claim a doubleheader sweep of the Ohio Christian softball program Monday at Doc Singleton Park in West Portsmouth, Ohio.

In both contests, Shawnee State simply found ways to win as the Bears used Berry's excellent command and a flawless defense that did not commit an error in 13 defensive chances in the first contest. The Bears then overcame two errors and a 1-0 deficit in the top half of the sixth frame through Wargel's strong pitching effort and an offense that was aggressive and opportunistic on the basepaths en route to Monday's Game 2 win.

Game 1 (Shawnee State 1, Ohio Christian 0)

Despite being limited to three hits in the series opener, the Bears remained in a fine place throughout the first contest Monday evening as Berry simply fired darts throughout Shawnee State's Game 1 victory.

Outside of a leadoff single by Chandler Hayes, Berry was simply untouchable as the senior's mixing and matching of pitches kept Ohio Christian off-balance all afternoon, resulting in eight strikeouts for the ace pitcher.

Offensively, the Bears put two runners on with two out in the bottom of the fifth inning and failed to score, but with two gone in the sixth frame, Shawnee State cashed in as an RBI double by Amariah Hoerner led to Hoerner scoring on an infield error.

This made all the difference -- as Berry retired the Trailblazers in order with two groundouts and a strikeout to conclude matters.

Game 2 (Shawnee State 2, Ohio Christian 1)

Outside of allowing one double each in the second and fourth innings of work, Emma Wargel was splendid through the first five innings of play, helping Shawnee State continue in a deadlock with Ohio Christian through the middle innings of play.

Following an error, Kylee Bako was able to step up for Ohio Christian and deliver the first run of Game 2 with an RBI single to right field that scored Kristen Gardner to give the Trailblazers a 1-0 advantage midway through the sixth frame.

However, in what has become a reoccuring theme, Shawnee State stepped up in a big way.

With one out, Shawnee State's Mackenzie Hale -- who celebrated a birthday Monday -- got the sixth inning rally going with a one-out single to left. A fielder's choice put the Bears against the wall, but with one swing of the bat by Hoerner, SSU tied the score as Hoerner's tailing slap to right field was mishandled, allowing Gracey McCullough to score and Hoerner to reach third base. One batter later, Allison Tom came up with the game's biggest hit as Tom shot an RBI base knock back up the middle of the diamond to score Hoerner.

Back with the lead, Wargel made quick work of the Ohio Christian lineup in the seventh, as the talented junior hurler, who notched eight strikeouts in Monday's Game 2 win, picked up a flyout, strikeout and groundout to conclude matters in favor of the Bears.

Additional

With Monday's results, Shawnee State moved to 8-0 overall and 2-0 in the River States Conference. The Bears have outscored their opposition 71-1 and have not allowed a single earned run all season long.

Shawnee State will be back in action at Doc Singleton Park Tuesday afternoon at 3 p.m. when the Bears face Point Park (Pa.) in a River States Conference doubleheader. All softball contests can be found via livestream at https://web.gc.com/teams/39oxmHRxEF3M/2024-spring-shawnee-state-softball/schedule and can be watched on a tablet or a phone. Any fan or person can watch Shawnee State softball contests by clicking "Follow Team" on the Gamechanger App.

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