UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, Ohio -- The Heidelberg University softball team's quest toward another postseason berth continued with a split on the road at John Carroll University. JCU won the opener, 8-1, and Heidelberg took the second game, 4-2.

With the split, Heidelberg moved to 21-9, 8-6 in the Ohio Athletic Conference. John Carroll stands at 14-14, 7-7 in the conference. The Student Princes are currently in two-way tie for third place in the standings.

GAME ONE: John Carroll 8 Heidelberg 1

The Blue Streaks took control early with three runs in each of the first two innings. John Carroll pounded out three home runs in the contest.

The lone Heidelberg run came via a solo home run off the bat of Abbey McKee, her fifth of the season.

AnnMarie Kirchner got the win for JCU, scattering four hits and striking out seven. Carly Simecek had five RBI in the win.

The loss went to Paige Atterholt (11-5), who went 1.1 innings.

GAME TWO: Heidelberg 4 John Carroll 2

In the nightcap, the Student Princes struck first with a run in the top of the opening inning. Bailey Smith drew a walk and worked her way to third. She scored on a two-out double by Kayla Zachrich.

John Carroll drew even with an unearned run in the second off of Erin Chapman. The Blue Streaks then took the lead with a run in the third on a two-out double.

Heidelberg had an excellent chance to tie or take the lead in the fourth. With the bases loaded and no outs, Bailey Smith lined out to left. On the play, Lisa Simmons appeared to tag up and score with Riley Brown thrown out trying to advance to third. On appeal, Simmons was deemed to have left early, which resulted in a triple play, of sorts.

The Student Princes loaded the bases with no outs in the fifth, but managed to push across three runs to take a 4-2 lead. Marissa Smego and Mikaela Mitsch started with singles, then advanced on a walk to Zachrich. After a fly out, Chapman helped her own cause with an RBI single to left. Simmons followed with an infield single to short that brought in Randi Kelsey, who ran for Mitsch. The final run scored on a sacrifice fly to deep center by Kaitlin Keys.

Chapman (9-3) was sharp in the circle for the Student Princes. She went the distance and allowed two runs (one earned) on six hits. She fanned seven.

UP NEXT

Heidelberg returns to action on Saturday as Ohio Northern University visits Frann's Field for a Senior Day doubleheader. Game one is slated for a 1 p.m. start. Heidelberg will honor seniors Kayla Zachrich, Paige Atterholt, Marissa Smego, Mikaela Mitsch and Lisa Simmons with a ceremony following the second game.

An important scheduling note: a non-conference doubleheader at home against Wittenberg -- originally scheduled for Sunday, April 24, has been moved to Sunday, May 1.