May 5, 2006
Ypsilanti, Mich. - The Ohio softball team kept its postseason hopes alive in picking up a doubleheader split with Eastern Michigan today. The Bobcats won the opener 4-3 before dropping the back end 2-0.
The Bobcats move to 7-13 in Mid-American Conference action and 26-36 following today's games. Ohio moves into a tie with Miami for the final spot in the MAC Tournament after the RedHawks were swept by Kent State.
Ohio used a three-run second inning and a solid outing from Michelle Sauter (Chehalis, Wash.) in winning the first game 4-3. Sauter got off to a shaky start, allowing two runs in the opening frame, but the Bobcat offense provided just enough offense to pick up the win.
With one out, Kristen Salvatore (Kirtland, Ohio) singled down the right-field line. Salvatore was not on the base paths long as Robin Miller (Chagrin Falls, Ohio) followed with her team-leading fourth home run of the year to even the score at two. The long ball gives Miller 10 for her career, moving her into a tie for third place all-time at Ohio.
The Bobcats were not done in the second frame. After Alicia Catlette (Mogadore, Ohio) walked, Amanda Sacks (Chugiak, Alaska) singled to put runners on first and second. A fielder's choice advanced Catlette to third and Debbie Szalejko (Beavercreek, Ohio) came through with an RBI single through the right side to score Catlette and give Ohio a 3-2 edge.
Eastern Michigan evened the game at three with a run in the fourth but the Bobcats countered with a run of their own in the top of the fifth to take the 4-3 lead they would not lose. With two outs and Marian Davis (Brighton, Mich.) on first after being hit by a pitch, Shannon Weidner (Pickerington, Ohio) doubled to right field and Davis came all the way around to score to put Ohio ahead for good.
Sauter picked up the win to improve to 12-15 on the season. She allowed just two earned runs on six hits in the complete game victory. The win marks the first time a Bobcat pitcher has reached 12 wins in a season since Heather Hagen won 12 games in 2002.
The Ohio offense struggled in the back end of the doubleheader losing 2-0. The Bobcats reached base eight times, five hits and three hit-by-pitches, but were unable to score. Ohio put two runners on base in both the first and fifth innings but couldn't push a run across.
Candace Warden (Hagerstown, Md.) took the loss, going 4.1 innings and allowing two runs on eight hits. Natalie Armstrong (Murrysville, Pa.) threw 1.2 hitless innings in relief.
Sacks led the offense, going 2-for-2 and reaching base three times. Szalejko, Davis and Courtney Waters (Eagle River, Alaska) also picked up hits for the Bobcats.
Ohio will be back in action tomorrow when it takes on Central Michigan with the first pitch set for 2 p.m. Fans can watch via Gametracker on the Central Michigan Web site.
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