May 1, vs. Ohio Dominican College
MVNC's season came to an end as the Lady Cougars were eliminated from the Mid-Ohio Conference with a 4-3 loss to Ohio Dominican in eight innings. After trailing 2-0, MVNC scored three times in the top of the fourth inning to take a 3-2 lead as Jodi Brewster drew a bases-loaded walk and Amie Bibby ripped a two-run double to right center. The Lady Panthers tied the game with an unearned run in the bottom of the sixth, and then won it with an unearned run in the bottom of the eighth. Jessica Moore (15-12) took the complete game loss despite allowing no earned runs. She gave up 11 hits and two walks, while recording six strikeouts to set a new single-season record with 138 strikeouts. Shelly Aldrich led the offense with a double and two singles, while Christi Bowden added two singles.
May 1, vs. University of Findlay
The Lady Cougars dropped their opening game in the Mid-Ohio Conference Tournament as they fell 5-2 to fifth-seeded Findlay. The Lady Oilers scored four unearned runs in the top of the third inning and MVNC never recovered. The Lady Cougars managed only four hits in the game - a double by Shelly Aldrich and singles by Lori Sours, Jodi Brewster, and Kelly Dennison. Jessica Moore (15-11) suffered the loss for MVNC. She allowed seven hits, two walks, and only one earned run. She also struck out three batters.
April 25, vs. Grace (IN) College
MVNC tried to knock off another high seed, but fell 4-2 to the third-seeded Lady Lancers as the Lady Cougars were eliminated from the NCCAA National Tournament. Things started well for MVNC as the Lady Cougars scored twice in the bottom of the first inning as Lori Sours and Corri Tillett each drove in a run. However, Grace scored twice in both the third and fourth innings and held MVNC at bay the rest of the way. Mandi Halley (6-9) started the game and took the loss as she allowed five hits and three runs in three-plus innings of work. Jessica Moore pitched the final four innings and allowed two hits, two walks, and one unearned run. Moore also struck out four batters. Jody Eichelberger led the Lady Cougars' offense with two singles and a double.
April 25, vs. Concordia (MI) College
Facing elimination, the Lady Cougars rallied for a 4-2 victory over second-seeded Concordia in the loser's bracket of the NCCAA National Tournament. The Lady Cardinals held a 2-1 lead, but MVNC tied the game in the bottom of the fifth inning on an RBI-single by Jody Eichelberger and then scored twice in the sixth for the win. Jessica Moore (15-10) earned the win with her second complete game of the day. She allowed eight hits and two unearned runs while striking out two batters. Eichelberger led the Lady Cougars' offense with two RBI-singles, while Jodi Brewster also added two singles. Lori Sours, Corri Tillett, Amie Bibby, and Kelly Dennison finished with one hit apiece.
April 25, vs. Indiana Wesleyan University
In the first game of the double elimination portion of the NCCAA National Tournament, MVNC fell 4-0 to the host Lady Wildcats. The game was a pitchers' duel until the bottom of the fifth inning when Indiana Wesleyan scored three times, two runs coming as a result of fielding errors. Jessica Moore (14-10) suffered the loss as her personal four-game winning streak came to an end. She allowed seven hits, two walks, and two earned runs in six innings of work. She also recorded five strikeouts. The Lady Cougars only managed two hits in the game - a fifth-inning single by Christi Bowden and a sixth-inning single by Jody Eichelberger.
April 24, vs. Oakland City (IN) University
The Lady Cougars finished up pool play at the NCCAA National Tournament on a strong note as they defeated eighth-seeded Oakland City 5-2 to notch their 20th victory of the season. After the Lady Oaks scored a run in the top of the first inning, MVNC tied the score at 1-1 on an RBI-double by Lori Sours in the bottom of the first. The Lady Cougars added an unearned run in the second when Amie Bibby scored on an error after hitting a double. Oakland City knotted the score at 2-2 in the fifth, but MVNC scored three times in the sixth to take control. Kelly Dennison, Dawn Paulo, and Shelly Aldrich each drove in a run in the inning. Jessica Moore (14-9) earned her second win of the day with a complete game performance. She allowed just six hits, four walks, and one earned run while striking out three batters. Aldrich and Jodi Brewster each recorded two hits for the Lady Cougars.
April 24, vs. Bethel (IN) College
MVNC rebounded in its second pool play game at the NCCAA National Tournament to upset the fourth-seeded Lady Pilots 5-3. After trailing 3-1, the Lady Cougars scored three times in the top of the fifth inning to take a 4-3 lead. Shelly Aldrich drove in one run with a sacrifice fly and Lori Sours ripped a two-run single to left center. MVNC added an insurance run in the top of the seventh on an RBI-double by Aldrich. Jessica Moore (13-9) picked up the win in relief of Mandi Halley. Moore worked the final four innings and allowed just four hits and one walk. She also recorded three strikeouts. Sours and Kelly Dennison each had two hits to lead the Lady Cougars' offensive attack.
April 24, vs. Olivet Nazarene (IL) University
The fifth-seeded Lady Cougars opened pool play at the NCCAA National Tournament with a 2-0 loss to top-seeded and defending NCCAA champion Olivet Nazarene. Mandi Halley (6-8) suffered the loss despite an outstanding outing against the Lady Tigers, currently ranked #17 in the latest NAIA national poll. Halley scattered nine hits over seven innings and allowed just one earned run in the top of the first and the seventh innings. However, MVNC was limited to just four hits and was only able to get two runners as far as second base in the game. Corri Tillett and Jodi Brewster each had two hits for the Lady Cougars.
April 23, URBANA UNIVERSITY
MVNC made it a clean sweep of the Lady Blue Knights as the offense produced a 12-4 victory in the second game of a conference twinbill. After Urbana scored an unearned run in the top of the first inning, the Lady Cougars scored three times in the bottom of the first. The Lady Blue Knights closed the gap to 3-2 in the top of the fourth, but MVNC pulled away with three runs in the bottom of the fourth, two coming on a double by Jody Eichelberger, to take a 6-2 lead. The Lady Cougars went on to score four runs in the fifth and two more runs in the sixth to end the game early. Jessica Moore (12-9) went the distance on the mound and allowed six hits, one walk, and four unearned runs while striking out one batter. Eichelberger, Dawn Paulo, Shelly Aldrich, and Kelly Dennison each had two hits apiece as MVNC recorded 13 hits in the game.
April 23, URBANA UNIVERSITY
The Lady Cougars rallied for an important 4-3 victory in the first game of a Mid-Ohio Conference doubleheader against Urbana. After trailing 3-0, MVNC scored a run in the bottom of the third inning on an RBI-single by Dawn Paulo. Then, the Lady Cougars tied the score in the fifth on an RBI-single by Jody Eichelberger and a run-scoring triple by Shelly Aldrich. In the bottom of the sixth, Kelly Dennison drove in the winning run with an RBI-ground out. Jessica Moore (11-9) worked seven strong innings and allowed seven hits and two earned runs. She also recorded eight strikeouts. Amie Bibby and Corri Tillett each had two hits to pace the winning attack. The victory clinched a berth in the MOC Tournament for MVNC.
April 22, at Walsh University
MVNC lost its second straight game as the Lady Cavaliers claimed a 5-3 victory in the second game of a Mid-Ohio Conference twinbill. Walsh scored four times in the bottom of the first inning and never looked back. Mandi Halley (6-7) suffered the loss for the Lady Cougars. She worked six innings and allowed seven hits, three walks, and five earned runs. She also recorded two strikeouts. Dawn Paulo led the MVNC offense by going 2-for-2 with a single, a double, two walks, one run scored, and one run batted in. Lori Sours, Corri Tillett, and Jodi Brewster each added a single.
April 22, at Walsh University
The Lady Cougars saw their four-game winning streak snapped as they fell 2-0 to Walsh in the first game of a Mid-Ohio Conference doubleheader. Despite suffering the loss, Jessica Moore (10-9) had a strong outing for MVNC as she worked six innings and allowed just two hits, one walk, and two unearned runs while striking out six batters. However, the Lady Cougars could not generate any offense as they managed only three hits. Dawn Paulo ripped a double, while Shelly Aldrich and Lori Sours each recorded a single.
April 19, at Tiffin University
MVNC recorded its second straight road doubleheader sweep with a 6-2 victory over the Lady Dragons in the second game of a Mid-Ohio Conference twinbill. The Lady Cougars rallied from a 2-1 deficit with two runs in the top of the fourth inning. Then, MVNC added a run in the fifth and two more runs in the sixth as the Lady Cougars pulled away for the victory. Jessica Moore (10-8) pitched her second complete game of the day as she allowed five hits and one earned run over seven innings. She also struck out six batters. Jodi Brewster led the 16-hit MVNC attack by going 4-for-4 with a double and three singles. Dawn Paulo and Christi Bowden each added 3-for-4 performances, while Jody Eichelberger finished with two hits.
April 19, at Tiffin University
The Lady Cougars made it three straight wins with a 5-0 Mid-Ohio Conference victory over Tiffin in the first game of a doubleheader. Jessica Moore (9-8) notched her second shutout of the season as she allowed only three hits over seven innings of work. She also recorded three strikeouts. MVNC scored all five of their runs in the top of the fifth inning, highlighted by a three-run triple by Shelly Aldrich. Jodi Brewster led the Lady Cougars' offense with a 2-for-2 performance.
April 18, at University of Findlay
MVNC recorded its first road doubleheader sweep of the season with a 7-1 victory over the Lady Oilers in the second game of a Mid-Ohio Conference twinbill. Mandi Halley (6-6) allowed just three hits, three walks, and one earned run over seven innings in one of her best outings of the year. She also struck out two batters. The Lady Cougars provided Halley with more than enough offense in the top of the first inning when Corri Tillett drew a bases-loaded walk and Christi Bowden emptied the bases with a three-run double for a 4-0 lead. Jody Eichelberger tied a school record with four singles in her 4-for-4 performance. Bowden and Lori Sours also added two hits apiece to the winning effort.
April 18, at University of Findlay
The Lady Cougars avenged an early-season loss to Findlay with a 7-3 victory over the Lady Oilers in the first game of a Mid-Ohio Conference doubleheader. After trailing 2-1, MVNC scored three times in the top of the fifth inning and never looked back. The Lady Cougars added three more insurance runs in the seventh, two of them coming on a triple by Christi Bowden. Jessica Moore (8-8) scattered eight hits over seven innings to earn the win. She struck out six batters and did not give up a walk. None of the three Findlay runs were earned. Meanwhile, Lori Sours led the offense with a triple and two singles. Dawn Paulo added a double and a single, while Amie Bibby finished with two singles.
April 15, at Shawnee State University
MVNC lost its fourth straight game as the third-ranked Lady Bears recorded a 10-0 Mid-Ohio Conference victory in the second game of a twinbill. Shawnee State held the Lady Cougars to just two hits - a second-inning single by Christi Bowden and a fifth-inning single by Corri Tillett. Mandi Halley (5-6) suffered the loss for MVNC. She worked four innings and allowed 13 hits and nine earned runs.
April 15, at Shawnee State University
The Lady Cougars dropped a hard-fought 6-1 decision to Shawnee State, ranked #3 in the NAIA, in the first game of a Mid-Ohio Conference doubleheader. MVNC took a 1-0 lead in the third inning as Amie Bibby ripped a triple to right center and Dawn Paulo brought her in with a run-scoring double. Jessica Moore (7-8) held the Lady Bears at bay until they erupted for five runs in the fifth inning. Despite suffering the loss, Moore had a strong performance on the mound as she worked six innings and allowed ten hits, five earned runs, and only one walk. She also struck out nine batters. Bibby led the Lady Cougars' offense with two hits, while Paulo, Lori Sours, and Kelly Dennison each added one hit.
April 10, OHIO DOMINICAN COLLEGE
The Lady Panthers made it a doubleheader sweep of MVNC with a 6-1 Mid-Ohio Conference victory in the second game of a twinbill. Ohio Dominican built a 5-0 lead before the Lady Cougars scored their only run of the game, an unearned one, in the bottom of the fifth inning. Mandi Halley (5-5) took the loss for MVNC. She worked seven innings and allowed 13 hits, one walk, and four earned runs while striking out two batters. Lori Sours and Dawn Paulo each recorded a double and a single, while Jody Eichelberger added a single.
April 10, OHIO DOMINICAN COLLEGE
The Lady Cougars suffered their first home loss of the season as they fell 14-8 to Ohio Dominican in the first game of a Mid-Ohio Conference doubleheader. After falling behind 5-0 after two innings, MVNC scored four times in the bottom of the second inning to trim the lead to 5-4. However, the Lady Panthers exploded with seven runs in the third, six of which were unearned, to take control with a 12-4 cushion. Jessica Moore (7-7) suffered the loss as she allowed 13 hits, six walks, and only four earned runs over seven innings as the Lady Cougars committed seven errors. Moore also recorded four strikeouts. Lori Sours and Corri Tillett each went 3-for-4, while Kelly Dennison added two hits and drove in two runs.
April 8, at Malone College
MVNC recorded a comeback of their own in the second game of a twinbill as they claimed an 11-9 Mid-Ohio Conference victory despite freezing, snowy conditions. In the fourth inning, the Lady Cougars broke a 1-1 deadlock as Jody Eichelberger ripped a two-run double to center and Lori Sours pounded an RBI-double to left to give MVNC a 4-1 lead. The Lady Cougars added a run in the sixth on Christi Bowden's RBI-double, but Malone scored seven times in their half of the sixth inning to take a 9-5 lead. However, MVNC responded with six runs in the top of the seventh to take regain the lead. The big blows in the inning where two-run doubles by Bowden and Shelly Aldrich. Mandi Halley (5-4) earned the win with six innings of work in which she allowed 10 hits and four earned runs. Bowden, Sours, and Eichelberger each recorded three hits as the Lady Cougars pounded out 16 hits altogether.
April 8, at Malone College
The Lady Cougars had their four-game winning streak stopped as Malone rallied for a 6-2 Mid-Ohio Conference victory in the first game of a doubleheader. After trailing 1-0, MVNC scored a run in the third inning on an RBI-single by Corri Tillett and added a run in the fifth inning on an RBI-single by Shelly Aldrich to take a 2-1 lead. However, the Lady Pioneers exploded for five runs in the bottom of the sixth for the win. Jessica Moore (7-6) suffered the loss for the Lady Cougars as she worked six innings and allowed nine hits, six earned run, and a walk. She also recorded four strikeouts. Offensively, MVNC was led by Lori Sours with two singles.
April 7, DENISON UNIVERSITY
MVNC won its fourth straight game as the Lady Cougars defeated Denison 10-2 in the second game of a non-conference doubleheader. MVNC jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning and never looked back. Mandi Halley (4-4) worked all five innings and allowed six hits, one walk, and two earned runs. She recorded four strikeouts and helped herself at the plate with a two-run single in the first. Lori Sours led the way offensively by going 2-for-2 with two doubles, three runs scored, and two runs batted in. Christi Bowden and Jodi Brewster both added RBI-triples, while Erin Conley drove in two runs.
April 7, DENISON UNIVERSITY
The Lady Cougars got the offense going in full gear as they pounded Denison 15-1 in non-conference action. MVNC recorded a season-high 16 hits and batted around in both the first and third innings. Shelly Aldrich had a big game with a 3-for-3 performance that included a single, a double, and her first collegiate homerun. She also finished with three runs scored and four runs batted in. Lori Sours went 3-for-4 with a single, two doubles, two runs scored, and three runs batted in. Dawn Paulo also collected three hits for the Lady Cougars, while Mandi Halley went 2-for-2 with a triple and two runs batted in. Meanwhile, Jessica Moore (7-5) allowed only a seventh-inning single and a second-inning walk as she won her fourth straight game. She also recorded five strikeouts as MVNC improved to 5-0 at home in 1997.
April 3, UNIVERSITY OF RIO GRANDE
MVNC earned its first doubleheader sweep of the Redwomen since 1993 by claiming a 5-2 Mid-Ohio Conference victory in the second game of a twinbill. The Lady Cougars jumped in front with a run in the bottom of the first inning on an RBI-single by Christi Bowden. MVNC added another run in the second on an RBI-single by Kelly Dennison, but Rio Grande trimmed the lead to 2-1 with a run in the third. Then, in the fourth, the Lady Cougars pulled away with three unearned runs. Jessica Moore (6-5) picked up her second win of the day as she pitched another complete game. She allowed four hits, one earned run, and two walks, while striking out three batters. Jody Eichelberger, Lori Sours, and Corri Tillett each joined Bowden and Dennison with a single apiece.
April 3, UNIVERSITY OF RIO GRANDE
MVNC got the offense going early and often as the Lady Cougars posted an 8-3 Mid-Ohio Conference victory over Rio Grande in the first game of a doubleheader. After trailing 1-0, MVNC took the lead with two runs in the bottom of the second inning on an RBI-single by Corri Tillett and an error by the Redwomen. Rio Grande reclaimed the lead 3-2 in the top of the fourth, but the Lady Cougars erupted for three runs in their half of the fourth and then added two more runs in the fifth and a run in the sixth to pull away. Amie Bibby led the offensive attack by going 3-for-3 with two doubles, a single, an RBI, and three runs scored. Tillett recorded a 2-for-2 performance with two runs batted in and a sacrifice fly, while Jody Eichelberger also added two hits. Jessica Moore (5-5) picked up the win with seven strong innings of work. She allowed five hits, one earned run, and two walks, while recording six strikeouts.
April 2, at Otterbein College
Otterbein rebounded in the second game of the doubleheader for a 6-1 non-conference win. MVNC scored their lone run in the top of the fourth inning on an RBI-single by Kelly Dennison. The Lady Cougars' offense recorded seven hits, but they could not string the hits together as MVNC stranded nine runners in the game. Mandi Halley (3-4) suffered the loss, allowing eight hits and three earned runs in 4 1/3 innings of work. Jessica Moore pitched 1 2/3 innings of relief and struck out four of the five batters she faced. Dawn Paulo smashed two doubles and Dennison added two singles. Moore also picked up her first career hit in her only career at bat so far.
April 2, at Otterbein College
The Lady Cougars won their second straight game with a 15-0 non-conference victory over Otterbein. MVNC batted around in the top of the third inning as seven runs crossed the plate and then repeated the feat in the fifth as six more runs scored. The Lady Cougars drew a season-high 13 walks and recorded nine hits. Dawn Paulo and Shelly Aldrich each pounded a double and a single, while Jodi Brewster, Lori Sours, Jody Eichelberger, Erin Conley, and Corri Tillett each added a single. Jessica Moore (4-5) picked up MVNC's first shutout of the season by allowing only two hits over five innings. She also recorded five strikeouts.
April 1, at Cedarville College
MVNC snapped their losing skid with a 6-4 Mid-Ohio Conference victory in the second game of the twinbill. After trailing 2-0, the Lady Cougars exploded for four runs in the top of the fifth inning to take the lead. MVNC added two more runs in the seventh on a two-run single by Jody Eichelberger. The Yellow Jackets scored two runs in their half of the seventh, but it was not enough as the Lady Cougars held on for the win. Mandi Halley (3-3) picked up the win with a complete game effort. She allowed six hits and only one earned run. The MVNC offense pounded out a season-high 11 hits, including two each by Dawn Paulo, Jodi Brewster, Lori Sours, and Shelly Aldrich.
April 1, at Cedarville College
The Lady Cougars' lost their fourth straight contest as they dropped their Mid-Ohio Conference opener 2-1 to the Yellow Jackets. MVNC took a 1-0 lead on an RBI-single by Mandi Halley in the top of the second inning. However, Cedarville scored single runs in the third and the sixth to claim the one-run win. Jessica Moore (3-5) suffered the loss for the Lady Cougars. She pitched six innings and allowed six hits and two earned runs. She also recorded six strikeouts and one walk. Corri Tillett led the offense with two singles.
March 28, vs. Elmhurst (IL) College
MVNC finished their 1997 spring trip with a heartbreaking 4-3 loss to the Lady Bluejays at the Orlando Rebel Games. After trailing 3-0 going into the top of the seventh inning, the Lady Cougars rallied for three runs in the seventh on a one-out RBI-single by Corri Tillett and a two-out single by Jody Eichelberger that scored two runs. However, in the bottom of the seventh, Elmhurst scored an unearned run with two outs for the victory. Jessica Moore (3-4) suffered her second loss of the day, this time in a relief role. She recorded the first two outs of the seventh before giving up a single up the middle. Mandi Halley pitched the first six innings and allowed nine hits and one earned run.
March 28, vs. Luther (IA) College
The Lady Cougars lost another pitchers' duel as they fell 2-1 to Luther at the Orlando Rebel Games. Through four innings, each team managed only two hits. Then, the Lady Norse pushed two runs across in the top of the fifth inning. In the bottom of the fifth, freshman Amie Bibby hit her first collegiate homerun, a one-out solo shot to left center, to trim the lead in half. However, the lead would hold up as MVNC managed only one more baserunner. Jessica Moore (3-3) took the complete-game loss despite allowing only six hits, two earned runs, and one walk. She also struck out five batters. Shelly Aldrich contributed a double and a single for the Lady Cougars.
March 27, vs. University of Findlay
MVNC got a preview of Mid-Ohio Conference action as the Lady Cougars fell 3-0 to conference foe Findlay in non-conference action at the Orlando Rebel Games. The game was a pitchers' duel for the first four innings as neither team could score. Then, the Lady Oilers scored two runs in the top of the fifth and another run in the sixth. Meanwhile, MVNC was unable to break through for a hit until Lori Sours ripped a ground-rule double to left with one out in the bottom of the seventh. However, that would be the only hit that the Lady Cougars would get. Mandi Halley (2-3) suffered the loss despite allowing only five hits and one earned run in seven innings. She also recorded two strikeouts and four walks.
March 27, vs. Taylor (IN) University
The Lady Cougars snapped their three-game losing skid with a 5-2 victory over Taylor at the Orlando Rebel Games. After the Lady Trojans took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning, MVNC answered with two runs in the third as Jodi Brewster scored on a throwing error and Amie Bibby pounded an RBI-single. Then, the Lady Cougars blew the game wide open with three runs in the fifth as Erin Conley scored on a wild pitch and Shelly Aldrich drove in two more runners with a double to left center. Jessica Moore (3-2) picked up the win, allowing five hits and one earned run in five innings of work. She also walked four and struck out three. Aldrich and Bibby led the offense with two hits apiece, while Brewster, Lori Sours, Corri Tillett, and Mandi Halley each recorded a hit.
March 26, vs. University of Dubuque (IA)
MVNC lost their third game in a row as the Lady Cougars fell to Dubuque 3-0 at the Orlando Rebel Games. Once again, the offense could not get things in gear as MVNC managed only a single each by Jodi Brewster and Jody Eichelberger. Meanwhile, Jessica Moore (2-2) was having a career performance on the mound as she limited the Lady Spartans to just three hits and two earned runs in seven innings of work. She also struck out 11 batters, one shy of the school record, and allowed only three walks. However, it was not enough as Dubuque plated two runs in the top of the third inning and one more in the sixth to claim the victory.
March 26, vs. Mount Mercy (IA) College
The Lady Cougars saw their losing skid reach two straight as they fell 4-1 to the Lady Mustangs, ranked #25 in the NAIA preseason poll, at the Orlando Rebel Games. MVNC trailed 3-0 before they ended the shutout with an unearned run in the top of the fifth inning. Mount Mercy added one more run in their half of the fifth to round out the scoring. Mandi Halley (2-2) suffered her second straight loss. She went six innings and allowed seven hits and two earned runs. She also recorded three walks and four strikeouts. The Lady Cougars struggled defensively and offensively, committing five errors and managing only five hits. Shelly Aldrich rapped a double, while Jody Eichelberger, Dawn Paulo, Lori Sours, and Amie Bibby each recorded a single.
March 24, vs. College of St. Mary (NE)
MVNC saw its modest two-game winning streak come to an end as the Lady Tigers, ranked #34 in the NAIA preseason poll, knocked off the Lady Cougars 9-0 at the Orlando Rebel Games. St. Mary erupted for seven runs in the bottom of the third inning and added two more runs in the fourth. Meanwhile, the MVNC offense managed only singles by Jody Eichelberger, Dawn Paulo, Lori Sours, and Shelly Aldrich. Mandi Halley (2-1) suffered her first loss of the season as she allowed ten hits and nine earned runs in four innings. She did not allow a hit until the Lady Tigers got things going with one out in the third.
March 24, vs. Westminster (PA) College
The Lady Cougars made it two straight wins as they held on for a 4-3 victory at the Orlando Rebel Games. An RBI-single by Lori Sours in the bottom of the first inning gave MVNC an early lead before the Lady Titans tied the score with a run in the top of the third. Jody Eichelberger scored on a passed ball in the bottom of the third, and an RBI-single by Jodi Brewster and a sacrifice fly by Shelly Aldrich in the fourth gave the Lady Cougars a commanding 4-1 cushion. Jessica Moore (2-1) picked up the win for MVNC, but not before Westminster rallied for two runs in the top of the seventh. Moore allowed six hits and one earned run in the complete game performance. She also walked two and struck out six.
March 22, vs. Baldwin-Wallace College
MVNC rallied from an early deficit to earn a 7-3 victory over the Yellow Jackets in action at the Orlando Rebel Games. Baldwin-Wallace got things going in the bottom of the first inning as they put three runs on the board. However, the Lady Cougars wasted no time in answering with three runs of their own in the second on an RBI-double by Dawn Paulo, a run-scoring single by Jody Eichelberger, and some heads up basing running by Shelly Aldrich. From that point on, Mandi Halley (2-0) limited the Yellow Jackets to just three hits as she earned the win. She worked five innings and allowed seven hits and three earned runs while recording two walks and two strikeouts. MVNC added a run in the third on an RBI-single by Paulo and another run in the fourth on an RBI-single by Jodi Brewster. Then, they rounded out the scoring with two runs in the fifth on back-to-back RBI-singles by Corri Tillett and Lori Sours.
March 22, vs. Calvin (MI) College
The Lady Cougars opened their 1997 spring trip with a 5-1 loss to Calvin, ranked #6 in the preseason NCAA Division III poll, at the Orlando Rebel Games. Jessica Moore (1-1) suffered the loss for MVNC. She pitched seven innings, allowed five hits and five earned runs, struck out four, and walked four. After trailing 2-0, the Lady Cougars cut the lead in half with a run in the bottom of the second inning. The score stayed that way until the Lady Knights erupted for three runs in the top of the seventh. MVNC was led offensively by Lori Sours with a double and an RBI-single. Dawn Paulo and Amie Bibby each added a double, while Jodi Brewster singled for the Lady Cougars' other hit.
March 17, NOTRE DAME COLLEGE
MVNC made it a doubleheader sweep of Notre Dame as the Lady Cougars notched a 6-2 win in the second game of the non-conference twinbill. Freshman Mandi Halley (1-0) pitched five strong innings before the game was called due to darkness. Halley allowed one earned run and four hits, while recording two strikeouts in her collegiate debut. MVNC trailed 2-0 after the Lady Blue Falcons batted in the first inning, but the Lady Cougars rallied for two runs in their half of the inning. MVNC took the lead for good in the third inning on back-to-back triples by Lori Sours and Amie Bibby. Then, they added a run in the third and two runs in the fourth. Sours, Kelly Dennison, and Jody Eichelberger paced the offense with two hits apiece.
March 17, NOTRE DAME COLLEGE
The Lady Cougars opened the 1997 softball season with an 8-3 non-conference victory over the Lady Blue Falcons in the first game of a doubleheader. The win marked the 300th victory in the program's 13-year history. Sophomore Jessica Moore (1-0) went the distance on the mound for MVNC allowing only one earned run and striking out seven batters. Meanwhile, the Lady Cougars' offense pounded out ten hits, including two each by Jody Eichelberger, Christi Bowden, and Lori Sours. MVNC used a five-run second inning to take a commanding 6-1 lead and never looked back.