An afternoon in University Heights for the final home conference series of the season for the Blue Streaks had quite the momentum switch in a twin bill setting against the Otterbein Cardinals at Bracken Field.

For the first time on their home turf and in Ohio Athletic Conference play, the Blue and Gold ended competition in the fifth inning with a mercy rule win in game one. However, the roles were reversed in game two as the Cardinals responded by turning the eight-run rule tables on JCU.

The Blue Streaks now holds a 13-23 overall record on the season, including a 3-13 mark in OAC play. 

Game One
To open the game, both teams combined to score five runs in the first inning. Senior Jess Cook received the nod for game one on the circle, earning the coveted senior day start. Her day did not necessarily start off well, as the Cardinals posed an early 2-0 lead. She allowed two hits, two earned runs, and walked one batter.

Despite being down early, the Blue Streaks sent a message back to the Cardinals that included three runs. Freshman Kristen Jesberger jolted JCU onto the scoreboard with an RBI single.

Otterbein entered this afternoon's double header with a conference best 21 errors allowed on the season, but the Cardinals made one costly uncharacteristic mistake. JCU took the 3-2 advantage following a pair of errors from the Otterbein defense.

During the following two innings, there was quite the pitching duel between two of the OAC's best. Junior Jenn Patterson only allowed one hit, recording six putouts. Otterbein's Gabby Johnson allowed just two hits between the second, third, and fourth innings.

Meanwhile, the Cardinals came ahead in the fourth inning, shelling off three hits and two runs scored off Patterson to take the 4-3 lead.

Then, the Blue Streaks offense exploded.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, John Carroll had their highest scoring inning of the season. It all started with an incredible at bat by Olivia Schweiger, who fought off multiple pitches and worked a walk to lead off the inning. That set the tone as the Blue Streaks batted through order and then some, belting off seven hits and 10 runs. Jesberger — the freshman that started the scoring for JCU in the first inning — provided the Blue Streaks with the "walk-off" win. She blasted a three-run home run over the left center fence, which ultimately put the Blue and Gold ahead by nine runs and ended the game.

With the 13-4 win, the Blue Streaks achieved its most runs scored in a game this season.

Patterson earned her eighth win of the season, which is also her first in league play in 2019.

Aside from Jesberger's three hit-five RBI performance, JCU was aided by junior Miranda Noday with her perfect day at the plate (4-4) and a run batted in.

Game Two
Much like game one, the Blue Streaks found themselves behind the eight ball to start game two. Senior Liz O'Grady started on the circle for the first time this season and the Cardinals had her number from the start.

Otterbein took the four run lead off a five hit opening inning, only one of those hits coming as an extra base hit.

Senior Olivia Schweiger smacked a triple off of Otterbein starting pitcher Anna Edwards in the first inning, placing the Blue and Gold in position to score early. Schweiger eventually scored off a wild pitch, cutting the deficit down to three runs.

Cook replaced O'Grady heading into the second inning but the Cardinals grilled her by flipping five hits and five runs in the second inning. Otterbein held the 9-1 advantage at the end of a long inning.

That would be all the Cards would need, as neither team scored again.

Edwards trounced the Blue Streaks batters, only allowing three hits over the next four innings and no additional runs allowed. The early lead established by Otterbein registered a win by mercy and Edwards earned the win with her five strikeout performance.

John Carroll is slated to close out the 2019 OAC schedule in Marietta this Saturday, April 27, for a doubleheader at 1 and 3 p.m.