ATHENS, Ohio ? The Ohio softball team dropped both games of today's doubleheader at the Ohio Softball Field with MAC West Division rival Central Michigan by the same final scores of 3-2. The Chippewas kept Ohio winless in league play this year following a sweep at Western Michigan last weekend. The Bobcats will get a chance for redemption this coming weekend with a three-game set at Miami.

Game 1 - Central Michigan 3, Ohio 2
A late rally by the Bobcats in the seventh inning would fall short, with a two run homer and a RBI single by the Chippewas too much to overcome, as Ohio dropped it home opening contest.

Central Michigan took a 2-0 lead in the top of the third inning off an Amy Hudson homer with one runner on, only to see the advantage slip to one in the bottom of the inning. Maureen McKelvey drew a walk and Kelly Rodriguez brought her home with a double off the left field wall to bring the game within one, 2-1.

The Chippewas would again extend their lead to two runs in the fifth, when Katie Horvath, who had pinch run for Stephanie Crews, stole home.

The Bobcats, in a flurry to catch up, relied on the bats of their hitters in the middle of the lineup. Jenny Tisevich got things going in the bottom of the seventh, singling to short, Emily Futscher then grounded out to the second baseman, advancing Tisevich to second. Tisevich moved to third when Robin Miller reached first on an error by the right fielder, bringing up Marian Davis. On Davis?s second pitch Alicia Catlette stole second, after entering the game as a pinch runner for Miller. Davis then loaded the bases after drawing a walk, and Candy Warden, who pinch hit for pitcher Zoe Heim, grounded out to the shortstop, scoring Tisevich. With two out, Nikki Brooks came in to pinch hit for Maureen McKelvey, but was unable to bring the tying run in with the bases full, grounding out to the shortstop.

Heim, who pitched a complete game, gave up six hits while striking out a career-high nine batters.

Game 2 - Central Michigan 3, Ohio 2
The Chippewas wasted little time getting on the board in the second outing of the day. Karen Hohs stole second to get in scoring position after reaching on an erro. Brittany Decker walked and then a Jacque Bennedict sacrifice bunt moved the runners to second and third. Hudson came through again, this time a single up the middle would produce an RBI, her third of the day.

The Bobcats evened the game in the bottom of the second, as Courtney Waters drew a walk with bases loaded to bring home Tisevich. Waters, who currently leads all freshmen with five RBI, is fourth on the team with a .278 batting average.

Central Michigan would take a 3-1 lead in the next inning though. Benedict started with a double to center field and Angie Hunter drew a walk to get two runners on base. Lindsey Clame singled to right field, scoring Benedict, for her fourth RBI of the season. Christin Sobeck would follow with an RBI single of her own to give the Chippewas a two run cushion.

In the sixth inning, Ohio cut the deficit by one, getting things started with a lead off single up the middle by Weidner. Catlette stole her second base of the series, upon pinch running for Weidner. Tisevich, in the next at bat, singled deep to right center, giving Catlette plenty of time to cross home plate. But again the rally would fall short as the Bobcats were held scoreless in the seventh.

In three innings of work Heim recorded five strikeouts, while Michelle Sauter, who closed the game in the circle for Ohio, allowed one hit and struck out one batter.

The Bobcats, now 11-20 overall, head to Oxford, Ohio, where they will play a three-game series with arch rival Miami. Ohio, vying for its first conference win, will play a double-header on Saturday and a single game Sunday. The first pitch on both days is slated for 1 p.m.