TIFFIN – The No. 14 Heidelberg University softball team opened up Ohio Athletic Conference action with a sweep of Wilmington College. The Student Princes run-ruled the Quakers in both games in six innings, 11-3 and 8-0.

Heidelberg improved to 12-2 on the season, 2-0 OAC. Wilmington fell to 6-8, 0-2.

STANDOUT STATS

• Mikaela Mitsch – 5-for-6, 1 double, 1 RBI
• Bailey Smith – 4-for-7, 2 run-rule hits, 1 double, 1 triple, 5 RBI, 1 run
• Paige Atterholt – 6 IP CG, 3 hits, 0 runs, 5 strikeouts

GAME ONE – Heidelberg 11, Wilmington 3 (6 innings)

After Wilmington scored a pair of runs in the top of the first, the Student Princes quickly responded in the bottom of the inning. A two-run double by Abbey McKee, partnered with a sacrifice fly by Morgan Daniels gave HU a 3-2.

The Quakers tied the game up with a run in the top of the second before Bailey Smith regained the lead for HU with an RBI triple in the bottom of the inning.

Both teams then settled in for a few scoreless innings before Heidelberg took command in the bottom of the fourth. Marissa Smego had an RBI double before Kayla Zachrich drove in a run of her own to give the Berg a 6-3 edge.

After another scoreless frame for Wilmington, HU padded their lead when another RBI by Smith made the score 7-3.

Wilmington went quietly again in the sixth and Heidelberg scored four in the bottom of the inning to complete the run-rule victory, capping it off with the walk off hit by Smith, an RBI single to deep right center.

Erin Chapman (5-1) picked up the win after throwing the complete game (6 innings), allowing three runs on ten hits with a pair of strikeouts.

GAME TWO – Heidelberg 8, Wilmington 0 (6 innings)

The second game started off as a pitcher's duel until the bottom of the third, when Mikala Mitsch delivered with an RBI single to center scoring the game's first run.

Heidelberg extended their lead in the fourth when Kaitlin Keys hit a two-run single to make it a 3-0 score.

The contest stayed that way until the Tricolor exploded for a five-run sixth to clinch another victory. Zachrich, McKee and Haylee Patel started the frame off with walks. After a wild pitch brought in Zachrich, a throwing error allowed McKee to score. On her birthday, Lisa Simmons contributed an RBI single to center. With runners on second and third, Smith clinched her second run-rule win of the day by lacing a double to the wall in left center.

Atterholt (6-0) was dominant in the win, her 37th career complete game. She scattered three hits and fanned five.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

Heidelberg remains unbeaten in the regular season at Frann's Field. The Student Princes are 14-0 on their home field, which was christened exactly one year ago.

QUOTES FROM THE COACH

Head coach Betsy Hada on starting with a conference sweep: "Last year showed us how important each conference game is, especially at home. "

Hada on her starters: "Erin and Paige looked great tonight. I thought Erin did a good job staying focused early in game one and didn't let the soft hits rattle her. Paige looked like vintage Paige – hitting her spots and keeping hitters off balance.

UP NEXT

After Easter, the Student Princes host Defiance for a non-conference twinbill on Tuesday. The first game is slated for a 3:30 p.m. start.