Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 John Carroll and their seniors concluded the regular season in style Sunday afternoon at Bracken Field with a sweep of 'the Berg of Heidelberg University, 4-2 and 7-5.  

The two wins not only locked up the second seed in next Friday's Ohio Athletic Conference tournament for the Blue & Gold, but also served as the proper send off for their five seniors—Brittany Danilov, Ollie Mathews, Erin Riccardi, Michelle Murphy, and Elena Cotton—who have brought John Carroll softball to unprecedented heights the past four seasons. 

The Blue Streaks' five seniors ended their regular season careers Sunday afternoon with a four-year record of 107-53, and are the program's first senior class to have recorded four consecutive winning seasons.  They are also only the second senior class to qualify for the OAC tournament in all four season of their collegiate careers, while also winning John Carroll's first ever tournament championship in 2010 which was followed up by the program's first ever regular season championship in 2011. 

“I know I couldn't have gone out with a better group of girls,” said JCU centerfielder Michelle Murphy.  “[But] we're not done yet, and are ready to go out with a bang [at the OAC tournament]."

“We've proved that John Carroll can contend with the best the OAC has to offer,” said pitcher Brittany Danilov.  “It's a very exciting time for us seniors as we prepare for what hopefully will be our second tournament championship.” 

On Friday, May 4 at Ohio Northern, the Blue & Gold will get that opportunity to play for a second OAC tournament title in the last three seasons.  Such an accomplishment would simply be the “icing on the cake,” according to head coach Erin Brooks. 

“That would just be amazing,” said Brooks on the opportunity to win another OAC crown.  “I think the biggest thing [for us] is to continue to improve and to stay sharp with the bats.”

And staying sharp with the bats is something the Blue Streaks had no problems with Sunday, especially in the nightcap. 

In game one, JCU defeated 'the Berg, 4-2, off seven hits, with three of them coming in a fifth inning that was capped off by senior Michelle Murphy's sacrifice fly.  Then, already up 3-0 in the sixth, an RBI single by sophomore left fielder Morgan Robinson scored sophomore right fielder Colleen Brady, giving the Blue Streaks a 4-0 cushion. 

Heidelberg would not go down easy, though, as they rallied for two runs in the seventh, taking full advantage of two John Carroll defensive miscues.  Soon after with the bases loaded, and only down by two with two outs, Danilov struck out Heidelberg's Bridget Moran to end the game, allowing the Blue Streaks to escape with the 4-2 victory. 

Danilov was credited with the victory, improving to 18-5 after going seven strong innings while allowing only four hits and zero earned runs.  She finished with ten strikeouts. 

Ali Sayre of Heidelberg dropped to 6-9 on the season. 

Box Scores: Game 1 / Game 2

In game two, the Blue Streaks valiantly fought back with a five run fifth inning to avenge a 5-2 deficit en route to their 7-5 victory. 

The five run fifth inning rally all started after sophomore second baseman Lia Locey reached on an error.  Four batters later with the bases loaded, Erin Riccardi—who homered in the first—connected on a base clearing double that scored Morgan Robinson, Sam Becker, and Colleen Brady, tying the ballgame up at five a piece.  One batter later, sophomore Heather Hurley connected on her third homerun of the season giving John Carroll an eventual game ending score, 7-5.  

As in game one, Brittany Danilov picked up the victory and improved to 19-5 on the season.  In 3.2 innings pitched in relief of starter Trisha Pike, Danilov only allowed three hits without relinquishing a single run. 

Heidelberg's Lexie Pinkelman was credited with the loss, dropping to 5-7 on the season. 

With the sweep of the 'the Berg, the Blue Streaks improve to 27-13 overall, 12-6 in the OAC, and will find themselves as the second seed come the OAC softball tournament which is set to take place at Ohio Northern this upcoming Friday May 4. 

After talking to the Blue Streaks' seniors following the doubleheader, it is clear that winning one more OAC tournament championship would be the most fitting conclusion to their four year journeys as Blue Streaks.       

“It would mean the world to all of us,” said first baseman Ollie Mathews.  “We want to go out with a bang!”

“It would be unbelievable,” said catcher Elena Cotton after being asked what it would mean to bring home another OAC title for John Carroll.  “We need to keep improving every game and not get complacent, and keep the excitement up and see where it goes.” 

”It would be essentially the best feeling in the world,” said third baseman Erin Riccardi.  “We've worked so hard all four years and it [winning an OAC title] would be the best payoff.”