COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio Dominican softball team couldn't overcome a four run first inning in the elimination round of the A.I.I. Tournament at Buren Field in Victoria, Texas. The Panthers season came to an end as they fell 5-2 to LSU – Alexandria.

Ohio Dominican struck first in the elimination game as they got a lead-off single from Erin Sutter (So./Mansfield, OH) to start the game. Sutter stole second and eventually scored on a single down the left field line by Kylee Crislip (So./Louisville, OH) to give the Panthers an early lead. That lead would be short lived as the Generals touched up ODU starter Maria Staton (Jr./New Bremen, OH) for four runs in the first inning.     more

The Panthers, who outhit the Generals 9-6, cut the lead to two in the second as they got back-to-back hits from the bottom of their line-up. With two outs Jennifer Baker (Jr./Cortland, OH) came up with a big hit to score a run, but a perfect throw from center cut down the second run as Brooke McCartney (Fr./Salem, OH) was tagged out at the plate.

LSU – Alexandria tightened up the defense as they held the Panthers in check the remainder of the way. The Generals added a run in the third off reliever Shana Etter (Jr./Massillon, OH; pictured). Etter came on for Staton in the second inning and allowed one run on two hits and struck out two.

ODU threatened in the fifth and sixth, but came up empty as their season came to an end with the 5-2 defeat.  

The Panthers conclude their final season in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletic (NAIA) with a 29-25 overall record.  

COLUMBUS, Ohio – On the eve of the 2010 Association of Independent Institutions Softball Championships the A.I.I. announced the 2010 All-Conference Team and award winners. Ohio Dominican placed three players on the First Team in their final season in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).

The A.I.I. Tournament top seed Cal State San Marcos scored two big victories, with head coach Dave Williams earning the 2010 A.I.I. Coach of the Year award, while the Cougars top pitcher Brenna Sandberg was named the Pitcher of the Year. Simon Fraser University shortstop Leah Riske was tabbed the Player of the Year. SFU and tournament host Houston-Victoria led the way with four All-Conference selections each.  more

Ohio Dominican playing the last season in the NAIA during their transition to the NCAA Division II had three players earn All-Conference in their first and only season in the A.I.I. Joining the all-conference team were ODU's top pitcher Maria Staton (Jr./New Bremen, OH) and a pair of outfielders Jennifer Baker (Jr./Cortland, OH; pictured) and Erin Sutter (So./Mansfield, OH).

Staton led the team in the circle with a 16-10 overall record and a 2.16 ERA. Sutter led the team with a .398 batting average, while Baker hit .364 and led the team with 47 runs scored.

The Panthers (29-25) went 1-2 at the conference tournament in Victoria, Texas. ODU defeated British Columbia in their opening round game, but dropped back-to-back games to Cal State San Marcos and LSU Alexandria to end the season.    

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio Dominican softball team's road to the NAIA National Tournament got a little tougher as they fell to #13 ranked California State – San Marcos on Thursday in their second round game of the A.I.I. Tournament. The Panthers advanced in the first round defeating British Columbia, 10-3, but ODU's bats were silenced by the top seed in game three of the tournament in Victoria, Texas.

Ohio Dominican wasted little time in their opening game as they scored two runs in the first inning versus British Columbia. The Panthers continued their hot streak at the plate as they recorded 10 runs on 15 hits in the dominating performance.     more

The Panthers took a 3-1 lead in the third inning and extended their lead to four runs in the fifth. The Thunderbirds added two runs in the bottom half of the fifth, but ODU put the game out of reach with a five runs sixth to solidify the victory.

ODU was led by the top of their order as Erin Sutter (So./Mansfield, OH; pictured) and Jennifer Baker (Jr./Cortland, OH) recorded three hits apiece. Chelsea Archer (So./Thornville, OH) and Shana Etter (Jr./Massillon, OH) added two RBI in the win.

Erica Sutter (Sr./Mansfield, OH) earned the victory on the mound, her 10^th of the year, after going four innings of work allowing three runs on seven hits.

In game two, Ohio Dominicans bats went quite as they were shutout versus top seeded CSU – San Marcos. Cougar's starter Brenna Sandberg went the distance as she tossed a complete game no-hitter to give the Panthers their first loss and send ODU to the loser bracket of the double elimination tournament.

Maria Staton (Jr./New Bremen, OH) suffered the loss in the circle for ODU as she went seven complete allowing four runs on seven hits. With the loss Staton record drops to 16-9 on the year.

The Panthers will return to action on Friday, May 7^th as they face Louisiana State – Alexandria in the first of two elimination games. Game time between the Panthers and Generals is set for 11 a.m. CST.       

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio Dominican softball team earned the fourth seed in the upcoming Association of Independent Institutions (A.I.I.) Tournament scheduled to begin on Thursday, May 6^th in Victoria, Texas. The double elimination tournament will run May 6-8 and is hosted by the University of Houston-Victoria.

The Panthers (28-23) will open the six team tournament on Thursday, May 6^th as they take on the University of British Columbia (9-15) at 12 p.m. CST. The winner of the opening round game will face top seed and NAIA #13 ranked California State – San Marcos at 5 p.m. CST.  more

California State – San Marcos grabbed the top seed after finishing the season with a 35-13 overall record. Second seeded Simon Fraser (17-12) earned the second seed and will face the winner of the Houston-Victoria (33-15) and Louisiana State – Alexandria (11-32) game scheduled for 2:30 p.m. CST.

The winner of the A.I.I. Tournament earns the automatic bid to the 30^th Annual NAIA Softball National Championship in Decatur, Alabama. The national tournament will run May 20-26 at Wilson Morgan Softball Complex and will be hosted by the Decatur Parks and Recreation.