Feb. 24, 2007
Box Score
ELON, N.C. - The Ohio softball team concluded the Elon Invitational with two wins over Rider and a loss to Campbell.
The Bobcats defeated Rider in game one, 3-1. Courtney Waters (Eagle River, Alaska) scored two of the Bobcats runs, while Debbie Szalejko (Beavercreek, Ohio) added the third run. Kristen Salvatore (Kirtland, Ohio) totaled three RBI and was 2-for-4 on the game.
"Kristen Salvatore did a great job of pushing runners across the plate in the first game," said Head Coach Jill Matyuch.
Candace Saucedo (Ontario, Calif.), Zoe Heim (Ann Arbor, Mich.) and MIchelle Sauter (Chehalis, Wash.) all worked in the pitching circle. Saucedo pitched four innings and allowed only one run on four hits. Heim pitched one inning and struck out a batter and Sauter pitched the last two innings, striking out two batters.
In game two, the Bobcats fell to Campbell, 6-1. Campbell scored two, three and one run in the first three innings, respectively, to take a commanding 6-0 lead. Ohio scored its first and only run in the bottom of the sixth. Salvatore scored the run after two singles and a RBI from Allie Farrington (Wilton, NH).
Natalie Armstrong (Murrysville, Pa.), Heim and Katlyn Mallette (Taunton, Mass.) saw pitching time in the loss. Armstrong started the game and put in one inning of work, allowing five runs on four hits Heim pitched second and stayed in for two innings, striking out two batters and allowing just one run and three hits. Mallette closed out the game and allowed zero runs and struck out one batter.
"We gave up an early lead and we were never really able to recover. Nevertheless, Katlyn came in and gave us four solid innings of shutout ball against a potent Campbell offense," said Matyuch.
Game three featured a second match-up against Rider. The Bobcats quickly gained the win by defeating the Broncs, 8-0, in just five innings. Sauter pitched a complete game allowing zero runs on two hits, she also struck out five batters. The third inning was the difference maker for Ohio as the Bobcats scored six runs in their half.
Shalene Petrich (Chehalis, Wash.) led the inning off by stealing second base after reaching to first on an error. Amanda Sacks (Chugiak, Alaska) walked and stole second as Petrich stole third. Petrich scored the first run on a RBI single from Marian Davis (Brighton, Mich.), Sacks advanced to third. Davis stole second and a single from Rodriguez scored both Sacks and Davis. McCutcheon walked and Rodriguez advanced to second. Both runners advanced a base from a sacrifice from Alicia Catlette (Mogadore, Ohio). Waters then singled and scored both Rodriguez and Danielle Kelley (Franklin, Tenn.), who pinch ran for McCutcheon. Waters stole second and scored the sixth run of the inning on a RBI single from Petrich.
"Things just seemed to click in game three," said Matyuch. "We made our hits count. Three games is probably too many to play in one day; however, it is important that we get as much experience in this early part of the season as we can. The team really came together well this weekend. We had some terrific performances by a multitude of players."
