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Box Score 2 MARIETTA, Ohio -- Heidelberg University softball's Mikaela Mitsch set a record for career home runs as the Student Princes split a wild doubleheader at Marietta College. The teams flexed their muscles as the Pioneers won the first game, 16-15, before The Berg took the nightcap, 9-5.
With the split, Heidelberg moved to 19-7 overall, 6-4 in the Ohio Athletic Conference. Marietta stayed even at 16-16, 6-6 OAC.
STANDOUT STATS
GAME ONE: Marietta 16 Heidelberg 15
Heidelberg started out the wild affair with a three-run first. Bailey Smith led off with a double and scored on a single by Mikaela Mitsch. Kayla Zachrich followed with a two-run homer to left center.
Marietta answered in quick fashion. They scored four times in the frame, including a two-run homer, which knocked HU starter Paige Atterholt out of the game.
Undaunted, the Student Princes responded in a big way -- to the tune of an eight-run second inning. Back-to-back-to-back doubles by Renee Lovett, Smith and Marissa brought in three, helping HU regain the lead at 6-4. With two outs, Abbey McKee blistered a three-run home run to left. Still not done, the Tricolor added two on throwing errors by the Pioneer catcher and led 11-3.
Marietta tightened up the score with a grand slam in the third inning.
Heidelberg countered in the top of the fourth with two runs driven in on Smith's third double of the game.
The Pioneers scored seven times in the fourth inning, taking a 15-13 lead. Six of the seven runs scored via the long ball -- another grand slam and a two-run shot.
In the sixth, Heidelberg tied the game with a two-out two-run double by Smego. The Pioneers manufactured a run in the bottom of the sixth and held on for the 16-15 win.
Atterholt (10-3), who returned to the mound late in the game, took the loss.
GAME TWO: Heidelberg 9 Marietta 5
Smego doubled home Smith to start the game. Mitsch followed with her record-setting 28th career home run -- a two-run blast that peppered the scoreboard at Marietta Field.
Just like the first game, Marietta got all three runs back right away -- including another home run.
Mitsch contributed an RBI single in the second as Heidelberg momentarily regained the lead. Marietta would tie in in the bottom of the inning.
In the third, the double machines -- Smith and Smego -- were at it again. Each extra base hit brought in another run as Heidelberg took a 6-4 lead. The Pioneers would make it 6-5 in the bottom of the inning with an unearned run.
The Student Princes closed out the scoring with a three-spot in the sixth. McKee had a pinch-hit RBI double down the left field line. Next, Taylor Hicks hit an RBI single to center that also brought in McKee on an error.
Atterholt (11-3) went the distance in the second game to pick up the win.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
Mitsch passed Jadie Wheeler atop the program's home run list. Wheeler hit 27 homers from 1996-1999.
Mitsch now holds career records for doubles, RBI and home runs.
The 15 runs in game one for Heidelberg tied a program record for runs in a losing effort. The Student Princes lost 18-15 to Bluffton in 1985.
NOTABLE QUOTES
Heidelberg head coach Betsy Hada on Mitsch's record: "It's quite remarkable ... From day one, Train (Mitsch) has worked tirelessly to improve in all phases of her game. The home run record is a testament to her consistency."
Mitsch on setting the new record: "I try not to get too caught up in stats, but this record means a lot to me. Having it come in a win makes it even better."
UP NEXT
Heidelberg returns home on Sunday, April 17th, for a doubleheader with Baldwin Wallace. Game one is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Frann's Field.
