Box Score Seniors shine in Denison's 3-2 win over Muskingum
GRANVILLE, Ohio – Thanks to a two-run double from Sarah Hamre and solid pitching performance from Taryn Welch, Denison softball sent their seniors out in style with a 3-2 come-from-behind victory over Muskingum on Sunday afternoon in Granville. With the win, Denison suspends it's 2020 season with a record of 3-6.
As the end of a shortened spring season for both sides, the Muskies opened play with an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first when Haley Hawk singled up the middle and scored Karsyn Shaffer. Still trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the second, the Big Red responded after Hamre connected on a single to left-center with one out. In the next at-bat, fellow senior Angel Ehrenschwender launched an RBI double to left-center, scoring Hamre and tying the game at 1-1.
In the top of the third, the Muskies answered the Big Red with a run-scoring single from Riley Powers that put MU back in front, 2-1.
Over the next three innings of play, Denison's Welch and Muskingum's Hannah Duff settled in and combined to allow only two hits as the DU offense entered the bottom of the sixth.
Trailing 2-1, freshman Maggie Ballentine opened the inning with a single to left before senior Lindsey Clemson followed with a single through the left side. With runners on first and second, the Muskies made a pitching change and went to sophomore Hannah Smith. After Emilie Fisher flew out to left field, Hamre entered the batter's box with already two hits on the day. Hamre answered the moment with two-run double to left-center that scored Ballentine and Clemson to give the Big Red their first lead of the game, 3-2.
Welch returned to the circle for the top of the seventh looking for the 14th win of her career. In the first at-bat of the inning, Muskingum's Jaelyn Meade doubled to left field but was caught trying to take third base when Welch threw her out on the relay. Following a momentum-shifting play, Welch dialed in for the final two outs of the game, including a swinging strikeout by Bailey Waitkus to secure the win.
Recording the 16th complete game of her career, Welch finished the emotional day with two runs on seven hits and two strikeouts in seven innings of work for her first win of the season. Hamre went 3-for-3 with two RBI and a run scored while Ehrenschwender, Clemson, Ballentine, and Claire Powell also ended the day with a hit.
Prior to the start of the game, seniors from Muskingum and Denison were honored. Denison's senior class is comprised of Lindsey Clemson, Angel Ehrenschwender, Emilie Fisher, Sarah Hamre, and Taryn Welch. The class leaves with 80 career wins and three-straight trips to the North Coast Athletic Conference Tournament.
