March 22, 2008

Box Score |  Day Two - Cavalier Classic 

Ohio vs. Virginia Box Score | Ohio vs. Rutgers Box Score

CHARLOTTESVILLE , Va. - Ohio defeated Rutgers and Virginia on day two of the Cavalier Classic but won both games in decidedly different fashion. The Bobcats used seven innings of one-run ball from pitcher Michelle Sauter ( Chehalis, Wash. ) to defeat the Scarlet Knights 2-1 in the first game of the day and then leaned on their offense to the tune of nine runs in the second game to blow past the host Cavaliers, 9-3.

"We defined fun today," said head coach Jill Matyuch. "I was proud at how we competed inning after inning."

The Bobcats improved to 9-8 on the season.

Against the Scarlet Knights (10-13), Sauter threw her sixth complete game of the season, allowing just one run and four hits in seven innings. She struck out five batters and issued only two walks.

The Bobcats took the early lead in the game on Emily Wethington's (New Palestine, Ind.) first collegiate home run. The freshman drove a pitch from Rutger's Katye Hamlin over the left field fence for the first run of the game. It was the second home run this season for the Bobcats.

Rutgers tied the game up quickly, scoring in the bottom half of the second on an RBI double to left center from shortstop Kate Valiante.

The pitchers went to work in the next three innings, shutting down the opposing offenses until the Bobcats struck in the sixth inning to break the 1-1 tie.

With two outs and the bases empty, Ohio shortstop Amanda Sacks ( Chugiak, Alaska) singled to right field and Alicia Catlette ( Mogadore, Ohio ) drove her in on a double to left field. The run gave the Bobcats a 2-1 lead and all the run support Sauter needed.

Sauter retired six of the next seven batters she faced in the bottom of the sixth and seventh innings to give the Bobcats the victory, the team's second in three games at the Cavalier Classic.

Ohio had two runs on 10 hits and no errors while Rutgers scored one run on four hits and no errors.

Against Virginia (7-20), Wethington took the mound and surrendered just three runs (one unearned) in a complete game. The freshman allowed five hits and six walks in seven innings, striking out eight.

The scoring started early in the contest, with both Ohio and Virginia posting runs in the first inning.

After a wild pitch advanced Virginia 's Meghan O'Leary to third base, catcher Kelly Haller ground out to short but O'Leary was able to run home. The Bobcats quickly answered in the bottom of the first when Melissa Bonner (Kings Mills, Ohio) smacked a two RBI double down the right field line to plate Shalene Petrich ( Chehalis, Wash.) and Courtney Waters ( Eagle River, Alaska ), who had both singled earlier in the inning.

The Cavaliers tied up the score at 2-2 with another run in the top of the first, but once again the Bobcats were able to cross two runners over home plate on RBI singles from Waters and Petrich.

Ohio tacked on three more runs in the fourth, one of which coming on Waters first triple of the season. The Bobcats continued to pile up the runs with their last two of game in the fifth inning on a passed ball and bases loaded walk, making the score 9-3.

Bonner finished the game with three RBI on three hits in four at bats while Waters went a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate with three runs, two RBI and one base on balls. Overall, seven Bobcats tallied hits against the Cavaliers, 14 total, while striking out just three times.

Ohio scored nine runs on 14 hits with two errors while Virginia notched three runs on five hits with four errors.

The Bobcats will return to Athens after finishing with a 3-1 record at the Cavalier Classic. Up next for Ohio is a double-header on March 26 against Wright State in Dayton, Ohio . First pitch for game one is slated for 2 p.m.