March 27, 2009
Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score
KALAMAZOO, Mich - Junior Shalene Petrich hit the first home run of her career and tallied three hits on the day, but Western Michigan did not prove to be the most gracious of hosts for Ohio softball and stole a doubleheader from the `Cats 4-0 and 3-1 to open up Mid-American Conference play Friday afternoon.
Petrich (Chehalis, Wash.) led the Green and White (8-13) with a 3-for-6 effort on the day, including her homer and a perfect 2-for-2 outing in game two. The Broncos (8-9), however, took advantage of three missed Ohio pitches to score all of their runs on the day via the long ball.
"We just gave up the long ball in the second inning in both games. That was the difference," Ohio coach Jodi Hermanek said. "We did a good job of keeping them off base, but we did not hit the ball very well today, and that put a lot more pressure on our pitchers. We got people on base, but we really struggled to move them over when we needed to. If we make a few adjustments at the plate, we'll be fine."
WMU's Meredith Whitney got the best of Ohio in game one, limiting the `Cats' hot bats to just three hits while tossing the complete-game shutout. Petrich, Melissa Bonner (Kings Mills, Ohio) and Deanna Hartsough (Santa Ana, Calif.) tallied hits for Ohio in the game.
One inning proved to be the deciding factor in the contest, as the Broncos took advantage of a pair of Bobcat pitches that missed for two home runs that totaled all four of their runs in the second inning. Kayla Houston provided the first blow in the inning, while Samantha Vargocko landed the most damaging shot, a three-run homer.
Ohio had a chance to put runs across in the top of the second, when it loaded the bases with nobody out. Whitney and the Broncos rebounded strong, however, and forced three-straight outs to keep the `Cats off the board. The Green and White were never able to get on track the remainder of the contest, and WMU took the win. Emily Wethington (New Palestine, Ind.) (5-9) took the loss on the rubber for Ohio, despite striking a season-best nine hitters in the complete-game effort.
Petrich got Ohio off to a good start in the second game, when she led off the game by depositing a Bronco offering over the wall in right for the first home run of her career to give the `Cats a 1-0 lead. It would be all the runs Ohio would get, however. WMU fought back in the bottom of the second with a three-run homer from Lexi Jager to take a 3-1 lead after two innings.
Ohio looked poised to chip into the Bronco lead in its half of the fifth, when it loaded the bases with the top part of the order coming to the plate. WMU would not allow it, as it forced a two-out groundout to halt any Bobcat hopes. After a scoreless sixth, the Green and White got one more chance in the seventh when Erika Girard (Chino Hills, Calif.) singled up the middle with two outs, but once again the Broncos forced a groundout to seal the win. Bonner was saddled with the loss, despite pitching a solid complete game for the `Cats.
Ohio will look to rebound right away as it heads to Dekalb, Ill., to battle Northern Illinois Saturday in a doubleheader. First pitch is set for noon ET with game two beginning 20 minutes after the conclusion of game one. Fans can follow the action through Gametracker at OhioBobcats.com.
