Marietta, Ohio – April 17, 2011 – The Heidelberg University softball team, under the guidance of head coach Betsy Hada, splits an Ohio Athletic Conference doubleheader with Marietta College on Saturday at Marietta Field. The Berg topped the Pioneers 6-2 in game and lost a hard fought game two, 5-4.
The Berg improves to 21-9 overall and 3-7 in the OAC, while Marietta goes to 16-11 overall and 6-6 in league play.
In game one, Heidelberg had an early 2-0 lead when Bessie Artino (Bellevue, Ohio / Bellevue) hit a two-run homer over right center field in the first inning.
The next four innings would be a pitcher duel with neither team scoring; until the sixth when Heidelberg poured on four more runs, all with two outs.
The Pioneers spoiled the shutout by scoring two in the bottom of the second but it was not enough.
Lexie Pinkelman (Metamora, Ohio / Evergreen) earned her 12th win on the season, which ties with Heather Diebler (1996) and Dana Thoms (2010) for the most wins in a single season in Heidelberg history. Pinkelman gave up two runs off five hits, while striking out a career-best 12 batters and walking two.
Offensively, following Artino with an RBI was Bridget Moran (Lakewood, Ohio / Lakewood) and Jami Wagner (Alvada, Ohio / New Riegel).
In the nightcap, the Berg once again started the game off with a home run. This time it was Melissa Lovati (St. Clair Shores, Mich. / Lakeview) earning the first of her career.
Heidelberg scored two more runs in the third to take a 3-0 lead when Artino earned a two-run RBI single, bringing home Moran and Lauren Childs (North Kingsville, Ohio / Ashtabula Edgewood).
Marietta answered and scored one run in the fourth and four in the fifth to take a 5-3 lead. Heidelberg chipped away at the Pioneers’ lead when Megan Reinhart (Tiffin, Ohio / Hopewell London) earned a RBI single in the sixth, but could not overcome the deficit.
On the mound, Dana Thoms (Amherst, Ohio / Firelands) goes to 8-6 on the year. She pitched four innings and gave up five runs off eight hits. Thoms fanned five and walked none.
Just games after Pinkelman joined the no-hitters club and broke the single season record in strike outs, which was preceded by Childs shattering the single season stolen base record; the Berg continues its record breaking streak. Overall the Berg has earned a total of 64 doubles and 195 RBI, which breaks the 1997 records of 55 doubles and 185 RBI.