GREAT BEND, Kan. – The (RV) Ottawa University softball team’s KCAC Tournament run ended on Thursday afternoon at the Great Bend Sports Complex. The Braves won its first elimination game on Thursday defeating Avila University 11-3. Ottawa fell in its second elimination game, 6-1, to Tabor College.
Avila University W, 11-3
The Braves took the lead in the top of the first inning. Addison Spencer singled up the middle and then moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Katie Enneking. Kara Hafenstine doubled down the left field line, scoring Spencer and OU had a 1-0 lead.
In the top of the second, Ottawa extended its lead. The Braves scored eight runs on four hits, led by Reagan Hammons three run home run, and OU led 9-0.
OU pushed another run across home plate in the top of the fourth inning. The Braves loaded the bases and Cierra Faubion hit an infield single. Her hit scored Hafenstine and Ottawa had a 10-0 lead.
Avila chipped away at the Brave lead, scoring one run in the bottom of the fourth and two in the bottom of the fifth to get within 10-3. After a scoreless sixth by either team, Ottawa extended its lead in the top of the seventh.
Rachel Pederson doubled to right center. Spencer’s ground out to short stop moved Pederson 60 feet from home. Hafenstine singled to left, scoring Pederson and OU took the lead and the game, 11-3.
Inside the Box Score
Tabor College L, 6-1
Tabor scored two runs in the top of the third, one in the top of the fourth, two in the top of the fifth and one in the top of the seventh to take a 6-0 lead.
In the bottom of the seventh, Hafenstine doubled to center. Reagan Hammons ground to short stop, advancing Hafenstine to third. Nayely Delgado’s single up the middle scored Hafenstine and OU was down 6-1. Morgan Bradford walked and moved pinch runner, Elizabeth Palmer, to second. The Braves, however, were not able to score those two runs and Tabor took the 6-1 victory.
Inside the Box Score
- Ottawa had five hits by five different players.
- Madison Carney pitched four innings, striking out three.
- Takiya Hill pitched the final three innings.
The NAIA softball selection show is scheduled for Tuesday, May 7 at 4:00 p.m. (cst) and will take place on the NAIA YouTube Channel.