Box Score Momentum, whether simply perceived or decidedly real, can be the "x-factor" for a team as it begins its postseason run.

Lack of momentum can be the "exit factor", as the John Carroll softball team found out in the 2013 Ohio Athletic Conference tournament.

Last week, John Carroll had an eight-game winning streak snapped by last place Heidelberg. That loss seemed to be a portend of things to come as JCU went 1-2 in its abbreviated three-game stay in the postseason. A 10-2 loss Saturday morning to host and top-seeded Capital eliminated the Blue Streaks.

Capital improved to 34-9 while John Carroll potentially ends its season at 26-11.

The team that appeared to seize on late season momentum, Mount Union, would go on to capture its first OAC Tournament title since 2008 by sweeping its three games.

JCU fell behind 2-0 early, but cut the deficit in half on an RBI single by Colleen Brady in the bottom of the first.

Things fell apart in the third, as Capital scored four times on just two hits and benefitted from two JCU errors as well as a passed ball.

John Carroll never threatened again.

Rachel Byrnes, who at one point this season was 18-1, dropped her third start in the last four outings and fell to 19-4.

Mackenzie Griffin had a home run in what may be her final collegiate at bat for JCU's other run. As it stands, Griffin cureently has a batting average that would be an OAC single season record (.568), breaking the mark of .557 set by Pam Price of Heidelberg in 1994. She also has tied the single season league record for doubles in a season with 20 -- matching the mark set by three other players including her former assistant coach Kim Tackett of Muskingum in 2007.