ADA, Ohio – The Heidelberg University softball team opened up conference play with a split at Ohio Northern University on Saturday. The Student Princes stranded nine runners in an 8-2 loss in the opener, but rebounded with a 10-1 win in five innings in the nightcap.

Heidelberg moved to 10-4, 1-1 OAC. The Polar Bears record now stands at 10-5, 1-1 OAC.

THREE STARS

Catcher Mikaela Mitsch pounded out six hits on the afternoon. The junior drove in six, four of which came on a grand slam in the fourth inning of the second game.

Junior Marissa Smego chipped in four hits, including her first career home run.

Freshman Cori Long picked up her fourth win of the season, allowing one run on five hits in the second game.

GAME ONE – ONU 8 HEIDELBERG 2

Kyleah Brey singled home Abbey McKee in the top of the first inning, giving the Tricolor an early lead.

After tying the game in the bottom of the first, ONU took a two-run lead by bashing three doubles in the third. In the fourth, Gia Saturday singled home two more, giving ONU a 5-1 edge.

Kayla Zachrich brought Heidelberg back to within three with an RBI single in the fifth, plating Kendell Queen.

Undaunted, Ohio Northern added an unearned run in the fifth. In the sixth, Saturday connected on a two-run blast to right center. She knocked in five in the game.

Paige Atterholt (2-2) went the distance, allowing 12 hits and six earned runs. The senior struck out three and did not allow a walk.

GAME TWO – HEIDELBERG 10 ONU 1 (5 INNINGS)

Heidelberg opened the scoring with an unearned run in the second. A Randi Kelsey single was mishandled by the center fielder. The error allowed Lisa Simmons to race home from second.

With the score tied at one in the third, Mitsch hit a bases-loaded single to left. The hit brought home Taylor Hicks and Smego.

In the fourth, singles by Kelsey, Haylee Patel and Hicks loaded the bases again. After a dropped foul ball gave her another chance, Smego followed with a single to right center, plating Kelsey. One batter later, Mitsch blasted an opposite-field grand slam to right.

Smego pushed Heidelberg above the eight-run lead plateau with her homer in the fifth. Her home run, driven to right center, brought in Patel.

Long (4-1) was sharp in the victory. She needed just 64 pitches to secure the five-inning complete game.

EXTRA BASES

Eight Student Princes enjoyed multi-hit afternoons.

Mitsch has 18 career home runs, one shy of tying current HU assistant coach Bessie Artino for second in program history. Slugger Jadie Wheeler connected for 27 home runs from 1996-99.

QUOTES

Head coach Betsy Hada on the offensive success in the nightcap: "We came out in game two on a mission. The grand slam by Train [Mitsch] solidified our momentum. Marissa worked very hard to improve her strength in the off season ... She is seeing the ball well – we knew it was just a matter of time."

Hada on the success defensively: "Cori threw like a seasoned veteran today ... our defense stepped up in game two and made some clutch plays.

UP NEXT

On Tuesday, Heidelberg softball will play a home game on campus for the first time in more than three years. After playing at Jocko Huffman Field at Tiffin's Hedges-Boyer Park from 2012-14, the Student Princes will christen the brand new Frann's Field – located at Peaceful Valley. Heidelberg hosts Bluffton University for a non-conference doubleheader, with first pitch scheduled for 3:30 p.m.