Grand slam advances Braves

May 16, 2023

by Dustin Semore, FHU Sports Information Director

HENDERSON, Tenn. — Two weather delays totaling nearly three hours were nearly the highlight of the first Henderson regional elimination game until Ottawa (Kan.) University's Emma Melvin smoked a grand slam to top The University of St. Francis (Ill.) Fighting Saints 4-1.

The Fighting Saints (32-11) plated the first run of the day after Rose Mwaro legged out a single to the Ottawa shortstop, moving into scoring position off of a Danielle Callahan single. Kaylie Sippel would hit a grounder to the left side, where the Braves' infielder tried to retire the runner advancing to second - instead, the throw went into the outfield, allowing Mwaro to wrap around third and score the unearned run.

After a delay of a little over an hour in the third inning, both the Saints and the Ottawa Braves (42-10) hoped to speed through before another storm cell rolled into Henderson. Unfortunately, after Ottawa's first hit - a double from Katie Enneking - the field was cleared for another two hours.

That delay proved to deflate any momentum for the Fighting Saints and shifted completely to the Ottawa dugout. Upon resumption of play, back-to-back walks loaded up the bases for Melvin where the freshman blasted a no-doubter over the center field fence to give the Braves the 4-1 lead they would maintain until the final out.

In relief of starter Ashlynn Mercer, Lorelai Gilbert (9-1) got the victory for Ottawa, tossing four innings of scoreless softball. On the other side, Madisen Tucker (11-2) was charged with the loss after 3 1/3 innings in which she only gave up two hits.

The Saints out-hit the Braves 5-3 with base hits off of the bats of Danielle Callahan, Gracyn Gabriel, Rose Mwaro, Katie Sippel, and Madisen Tucker. All three of Ottawa's hits came from different hitters with Emma Melvin's homer joined by the double from Katie Enneking and a dingle from Aliks Serna.