Racers Lose Two at Rio Grande

RIO GRANDE, OH - UNOH (11-10) swept Rio Grande (12-8) in their first meeting on February 26, but the Red Storm won the day the second time around taking game one 4-1 and game two 5-4.

Game 1: URG 4 UNOH 1

All of the games five runs came in the second inning. UNOH got on the board first thanks to a bases loaded sac fly from Autumn Pelok that scored Anna Ankney from third. The Red Storm used a two-run homer in the bottom of the frame to fuel a four run at-bat. The minimum number of batters made an appearance over the next two innings before Payton Albright finally broke the drought. Sidney Unger and Chloe Goulter used their own singles to load the bases, but the threat was staved with no damage done. The teams combined for just two hits the rest of the game as Rio took game one of the double header.

Anna Ankney and Payton Albright each finished 2-3 in the game. Autumn Pelok recorded the only RBI of the game for UNOH.

Carlie Hanes (6-4) tossed all six innings to take the loss giving up four runs, three earned, off seven hits with two strikeouts and one walk.

Game 2: URG 5 UNOH 4

UNOH opened game two with a single and a double and put the first run on the board just two batters in. Dani Keighley hit a sac fly to left that scored Anna Ankney and the Racers were up 2-0 out of the gate. Rio answered with another two run homer in the bottom of the inning to tie the game. UNOH threatened in the second but couldn't score and the Red Storm went 1-2-3 sending the game into the third still 2-2. The Racers used two singles and an error to load the bases in the top of the third. Hailee Edgell followed with a sac fly to bring home Tess Denning and put UNOH on top. Again, Rio answered the call bringing one home in the bottom.

There were just two hits over the next two innings as the game entered the sixth locked 3-3. The Racers couldn't convert two lead off singles in the top and the Red storm sent their third two-run shot of the day over the center field fence to take their first lead of the game 5-3. Anna Ankney hit her first triple of the season to get UNOH going in the final frame and Dani Keighley brought her home to make it 5-4. Payton Albright flied into a double play in center to end the game and give Rio the sweep.

Anna Ankney and Payton Albright were both 2-4 in the game and Dani Keighley brought in two RBI.

Jaylyn Mullenax got the start and the loss going five and a third innings giving up all five runs, four earned, off seven hits and two strikeouts. Kiya Benschoter tossed the final two thirds giving up no runs and no hits.

UNOH will open conference play at Indiana Tech on Saturday, March 25, before returning home to take on UM-Dearborn Sunday.