Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 The weather permitted the JCU softball squad to play a doubleheader against Otterbein on Sunday, but the Cardinals would not allow the Blue Streaks to earn a much-needed series sweep.

Playing on the road, the JCU offense came off the bus swinging, torching the Cardinals on the way to an 8-0 win in the first game. The roles were reversed in the bottom half of the doubleheader, as the Cardinals quickly captured the lead and never relinquished it in a 5-3 Otterbein win.

Samantha Becker led the charge for the Blue and Gold on offense in game one. The junior second baseman hit 3-3 in the contest, tallying a triple, home run, RBI, and three runs. Mackenzie Griffin's performance wasn't too shabby, either. The senior catcher batted 3-4, notching a pair of doubles and RBIs. JCU ace Rachel Byrnes also provided a stellar outing on the mound. The sophomore allowed only three hits in six innings, striking out five batters along the way.

The offensive explosion started early for the Blue and Gold, as Becker rocketed a leadoff homerun over Rike Field's right field wall. The Blue Streaks struck again in the second, as Ashlee Unrue uncorked a two-out single up the middle to score Morgan Robinson and increase JCU's lead to two. The Blue Streaks threatened to put a few more on the board in the inning, but Otterbein pitcher Kelsey Long finagled her way out of the predicament, stranding three JCU base runners.

The Cardinals' offense was not completely dormant while the Blue and Gold snagged the lead. Otterbein got three runners aboard with only one out in the first, setting up a perfect opportunity to regain the lead. But Byrnes struck out the next two Otterbein batters to emerge from the jam unscathed.

The top of the fourth looked to be a quick inning for the Blue and Gold, as the team's first two hitters of the inning were retired in short order. But Unrue reached base on a walk to keep the inning alive. Becker followed Unrue's lead, also taking a walk. Pinch hitting for Erica Chiudioni, Beckie Reid made Otterbein pitcher Kelsey Long pay for her inability to finish off the Blue Streaks. Reid tabbed a single to score Unrue and move Becker to second. Mackenzie Griffin kept the rally going, as she ripped a double to right that allowed Becker to cross the plate and Reid to advance to third. Stepping up the plate next, Ally Kleinhans tattooed a ball over the wall in left center to make the score 7-0. The three-run blast was her second homer of the season.

JCU's offensive success continued in the sixth, as Becker unleashed a missile down the right field line for a triple. Reid grounded out, sending Griffin up to the plate. The senior catcher tagged a double to left, allowing Becker to easily score. Otterbein would not be able to overcome the steep 8-0 deficit, granting Byrnes her 11th win of the year.

Otterbein took a page from JCU's book in the second game, grabbing a quick 3-0 lead in the first. Junior Cardinal outfielder Laura Basford reached base on a hit by pitch to begin the inning, advancing to third after she stole a base and Maggie Zych grounded out. Basford then scored on a Bryn Allen single. Brooke Albright and Kristen Ramer also got in on the fun for the Cardinals, as each tagged an RBI hit to place the Blue Streaks in a three-run hole.

The Blue and Gold did not take long to respond. Freshman Gina Tosti, in the lineup as the designated hitter, ripped a solo home run to right center to get JCU on the board in the second. Becker narrowed the lead further, driving a single up the middle that allowed Lia Locey to score. The Blue Streaks loaded the bags with two outs in the second, but could not convert on the opportunity, leaving the bases juiced.

The Cardinals responded in kind to the two-run rally. Otterbein's Rachael Puthoff sent a solo blast over the wall to increase the Cardinal lead to 4-2 in the second, ending JCU pitcher Trisha Pike's day. Otterbein threatened to score again in the third, as the home team placed two runners on base with only one out. But Byrnes pitched her way out of the jam, forcing an inning-ending double play.

The Blue and Gold threatened to retake control of the contest in the top of the fifth. Erica Chiudioni singled down the left field line to start off the inning. Griffin was then hit by a pitch before Kleinhans reached base on a walk. With three on and none out, Colleen Brady approached the plate with a golden opportunity. She did not disappoint, driving in a run on a sacrifice fly to right field. But Otterbein pitcher Maggie McMahan forced a 5-4-3 double play to end a promising inning for JCU.

Otterbein tallied an insurance run in the following frame, courtesy of a Kristen Ramer RBI single, which made the score 5-3. JCU put a runner on base in its final two times at bat, but the Blue and Gold could not manage a rally.

The series split sends the Blue Streaks to 16-8 on the year, including a 7-3 conference record. JCU will host Muskingum for a doubleheader on Wednesday.