On a recent Tuesday afternoon, Marietta College's freshman pitcher Camryn Keifer demonstrated strong performance during the first game of a doubleheader against Denison University. Despite her efforts, the Pioneers experienced two defeats, losing 6-3 in the opener and suffering a mercy rule loss in the second game with a score of 13-0. This marked Denison's first time surpassing 20 wins since 2019, showcasing their dominance in this encounter.
In the initial match, Denison capitalized on home runs to secure their victory. Their pitcher Brooke Surbaugh played a pivotal role by securing the first 13 outs, eventually leading to her ninth win of the season. Meanwhile, Marietta's freshman right-hander Camryn Kiefer delivered an impressive 6 2/3 innings but slipped to an 11-6 record following the match. The Big Red's offensive power was evident as they hit four round-trippers in the first game.
The second game unfolded swiftly for Denison, who managed to enforce a five-inning mercy rule victory. Sydney Silverstein, starting pitcher for Denison, allowed only five hits while maintaining a clean sheet with no walks and two strikeouts. Marietta struggled defensively in this game, committing five errors, which contributed significantly to their downfall. Coach Jenn Castle acknowledged the tough competition and emphasized the team's readiness to rebound in upcoming games.
Denison's Annabelle Calderon shone brightly throughout the doubleheader, finishing with a remarkable batting performance of 4 for 7. She scored five runs, stole a base, hit two doubles, and contributed three RBIs along with her ninth home run of the season. On the other hand, Marietta's Jordan Cholley and Liz White provided some highlights with key hits and home runs respectively, yet it wasn't enough to overcome Denison's momentum.
As the season progresses, Marietta aims to regroup and honor their graduating seniors, including Rachel Kazmirski, whose contributions have been invaluable to the program. With eight games remaining, the Pioneers are determined to make a strong finish despite the challenging setback. Denison, now at 21-10, continues to solidify their standing as a formidable opponent in collegiate softball.