[Softball] Softball Splits; Schnakenberg Blanks Ottawa

Doane Softball travelled to Ottawa, Kansas, on Wednesday to take on the Ottawa Braves. The Braves entered action receiving votes in the NAIA poll, sitting as the first team outside of the Top 25. Both games of the doubleheader featured strong pitching as the two teams split on the day, Doane winning the opener, 2-0, with Ottawa taking game two, 4-3. Doane is 10-9 overall while Ottawa is 13-3.

Game One
Josie Schnakenberg (JR/Wahoo, Neb.) threw a complete-game shutout to lift the Tigers in the opener. She limited the Braves to three hits and two walks while striking out six.

Doane scored a single run in the 3rd and 6th innings. Their first run crossed the plate as the Tigers put together a two-out rally. Jade Hill (FR/San Diego, Calif.) drew a walk, followed by a base hit from Kailyn Wiseman (JR/Sutton, Neb.). Angela Esqueda loaded the bases when she was hit by a pitch. Kayla Miller (FR/Yuciapa, Cali.) drew a walk to force in the Tigers' first run.

In the 6th, Shelby Downard (SO/Marysville, Kan.) picked up a one-out single. Megan Elliott (FR/Simi Valley, Calif.) and Jadyn Hunt (FR/Elkhorn, Neb.) each drew a walk to load the bases for Blaire Edeal (JR/Lexington, Neb.). She drew the third consecutive walk to plate Doane's second run of the game.

Schnakenberg held the Braves in check, facing the minimum six batters over the final two innings and struck out four during the closing innings.

Doane had five hits in the game, two apiece from Wiseman and Downard.

Game Two
Doane rallied late but was unable to overcome a four-run deficit. The Braves started the game with starting pitcher Amber Flummerfelt striking out nine of the first 10 batters. Downard started for Doane and was up to the task, holding Ottawa scoreless through three innings.

In the 4th, Ottawa was able to break through with two runs on three hits. They added two runs in the 5th on two hits and a Doane error. The Tigers cut the deficit in half with two runs in the 6th. Esqueda and Miller had back-to-back RBI-doubles to plate the Tiger runs.

After holding the Braves scoreless in the bottom of the inning, Doane took to the plate in the 7th. Edeal drew a one-out walk and Hill drew a two-out walk to put the tying runs on base. Wiseman singled to left field to plate Edeal, however, Ottawa received a perfect throw to third base to get Hill out and end the game.

Downard finished with 6.0 innings pitched, allowing four runs (three earned) on eight hits and two walks with four strikeouts. Doane had five hits in the game, led by Hunt with two.