Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Offense was tough to come by on Friday afternoon, as John Carroll was swept by Ohio Northern, 1-0, 5-2, at Bracken Field in University Heights. JCU falls to 11-12 on the year, and 6-6 in the Ohio Athletic Conference. Conference leader Ohio Northern moves to 24-4 and 10-2 in the OAC.

The Blue Streaks head out on an eight-game road swing, beginning with Sunday's doubleheader at Hiram College. JCU will then travel to play Mount Union, Otterbein, and DePauw before returning to Bracken Field for the regular season finale on Apr. 28 against Marietta. 

Game 1: Ohio Northern 1, John Carroll 0

A sixth inning rally fell just short for John Carroll, as the Blue Streaks dropped a 1-0 decision to the Polar Bears in game one. 

Jessica Cook (L, 3-4) allowed just one run on seven hits in a complete game effort; however, the JCU bats mustered just three hits against ONU's Kirsten Lightel (W, 13-1). Miranda Noday had two hits, leading JCU in the contest. Gabby Stewart and Brady Guest each had a pair of hits for the Polar Bears.

Ohio Northern notched the game's lone run in the opening frame. After a groundout, Alicia Swier drew a walk and was moved into scoring position by a Gabby Stewart single to right field. Cook struck out the cleanup hitter before surrendering a run on a second single to right. 

Lightel, a three-time All-OAC selection, found her rhythm early, retiring the first nine Blue Streaks in order. Miranda Noday snapped the streak on an infield single to third base in the bottom of the fourth. Lightel stranded Noday on second by retiring the next three batters.

The defense came to Cook's aid in the the fifth, when the Polar Bears had an opportunity to score with one out. Lexie Hess tried to score on a ball hit to Lindsay McKnight, but could not beat the junior's relay throw to the plate. 

After a two-out single put runners at first and second, Cook induced another fielder's choice to end the inning. Cook would strand another runner in scoring position in the sixth, forcing back-to-back groundouts.

JCU had a chance to take the lead in the sixth. Quinn Sobieszczanski reached on an infield single, and Noday advanced her to third with a double to left center. Following an Olivia Schweiger walk, the Blue Streaks had the bases loaded with one gone. Lightel struck out McKnight and forced Hannah Mizener into a pop-up to short to end the threat. JCU was retired in order in the seventh. 

Game 2: Ohio Northern 5, John Carroll 2

John Carroll struck first in game two, but a three-run blast by the Polar Bears propelled Ohio Northern to the sweep, 5-2. 

Jennifer Patterson falls to 6-6 on the year, surrendering five runs on five hits in six innings of work. Madison Eagle pitched a scoreless seventh, allowing one hit. Kaitlyn Surdej (W, 11-3) gave up two runs on five hits in a complete game win for ONU. 

Maggie Gannon went 2-for-3 with a two-run double. Mizener was 2-for-3 in game two with a double. JCU stranded seven runners in the game.

It was John Carroll's turn to open the scoring in game two. McKnight singled, and moved to third following a Mizener double to left center. The Blue Streaks plated Mizener and McKnight on a Maggie Gannon single through the right side. 

ONU struck back in the top of the second, as Guest knocked her second double of the day, scoring Hailee Lough on the throw. The Polar Bears tied the game in the following inning, as Stewart singled to right center, scoring Jenna Hollar. 

The Polar Bears took the lead for good in the fifth inning. Swier walked to open the frame, and Stewart was hit by a pitch. With one out, Guest laced a home run over the left field fence to give ONU the 5-2 advantage.

John Carroll had an opportunity to match the output in the bottom half, when Mizener and Gannon singled, putting runners at first and second with one out. Jennie Broski lined out to a lunging right fielder, and Patterson struck out looking. 

JCU threatened once more in the seventh, but could not drive Noday home from second, as ONU completed the sweep.