CLERMONT, Fla. - The Carroll University softball team lost to Ohio Wesleyan University 3-1 in its opening game of the PFX Spring Games at Hancock Park on Saturday afternoon.
It was the first contest of a challenging 13-game Spring Break road trip for the Pioneers, who dropped to 2-3 overall.
Ohio Wesleyan, which won its fourth straight to improve to 6-3 overall, scored what proved to be the winning runs in the bottom of the first inning on a two-run home run by winning pitcher Madi Drabick - who went 2-for-3 with two RBIs.
Carroll collected its lone run in the top of the second on a two-out RBI single to center field by junior center fielder Rosie Craine (Wheaton, Ill.) to trim the deficit to 2-1.
Freshman shortstop Jordan Wermund (Stevensville, Mich.) delivered a one-out double to right field and later scored on Craine's clutch hit.
Ohio Wesleyan's final run came as the result of a hit batsman with the bases loaded in the third.
Junior right fielder Annika Graves (Muskego, Wis.), sophomore first baseman Elaine Anderson (Bristol, Wis.) and freshman designated hitter Allyssa Demma (Orland Park, Ill.) each added a hit for Carroll, which stranded five baserunners.
Sophomore right hander Amanda Osterhus (Munster, Ind.) scattered eight hits with 10 strikeouts and no walks through six complete innings in taking the loss.
Drabick, a freshman right-hander, pitched a five-hitter with four strikeouts to earn a complete-game victory for Ohio Wesleyan.