The Bobcats faced off against South Florida and its strong pitching staff in the day's opener. The Bulls came into the weekend with a miniscule 1.35 team ERA and four pitchers with sub-2.00 earned run averages. The Ohio offense was unable to overcome the combination of Bull pitchers Bree Spence and Nicole Christensen.
The Bobcat offense could must only two Robin Miller (Chagrin Falls, Ohio) singles against South Florida. Ohio starter Michelle Sauter (Chehalis, Wash.) put forth a solid effort but it was not enough. Sauter pitched all six innings, allowing only two earned runs while striking out five.
The Ohio offense got back in gear against Winthrop but a late inning comeback from the Eagles proved too much for the Bobcats.
The Bobcats got on the board first, posting three runs in the bottom of the third. Debbie Szalejko (Beavercreek, Ohio) reached base on an error with one out to start the rally. Courtney Waters (Eagle River, Alaska) and Kelly Rodriguez (Miami, Fla.) walked in consecutive at-bats to load the bases. After Szalejko scored on an error by the catcher and Emily Futscher (Cincinnati, Ohio) walked to reload the bases, Miller came through with a two-run knock to stake Ohio starter Natalie Armstrong (Murrysville, Pa.) to a 3-0 lead.
Winthrop closed the gap to 3-2 with two runs in the top of the fourth but the Bobcats countered with three runs in the bottom of the fifth. Waters advanced to lead off the inning and moved to second on a sac bunt. After Shannon Weidner (Pickerington, Ohio) walked, Futscher singled to plate Waters and advance Weidner to third base. Futscher stole second to put two runners in scoring position and Miller followed with her second two-run single of the game, giving Ohio a 6-2 lead.
The Bobcats were unable to hold the lead, though, with the Eagles scoring three runs in the sixth inning and two more in the seventh to send Ohio home with a 7-6 loss.
Armstrong took the loss, pitching all seven innings and allowing six earned runs on nine hits. Miller led the offensive attack, going 2-for-3 with four runs batted in. Miller's four RBI marks the second time this year a Bobcat knocked in four runs in a single game. Futscher plated four runs Feb. 19 against Army.
Ohio falls to 10-12 with the losses.
Ohio will be back in action tomorrow when it takes on Dartmouth at 8:30 a.m.
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