March 14, 2010
Game 1 Box Score Game 2 Box Score
ATHENS, Ohio - Paige Kemezis smacked three doubles and drove in five runs on the day, but a pair of big Morehead State innings mixed with a pair of three-run homers from Rebecca Butler bit Ohio softball as the Eagles stole a doubleheader, 10-8 and 12-7, Sunday at the Ohio Softball Field.
Amidst a cold and overcast afternoon, the `Cats (4-15) and Eagles (6-9) turned up the heat offensively, combining for 37 total hits and 37 runs on the day. The difference, however, was a big five-run MSU third in the first game and a sixth-run sixth in the second game.
Getting off to a bit of a late start due to field preparation following rainfall the last two days, the Eagles got off to a quick start with three first-inning runs on three hits. The biggest came via a Rebecca Butler three-run shot to left. MSU led 3-0 after the first inning.
MSU got its fourth run of the contest in its next at bat when Anna Sommer homered to left. Emily Wethington (New Palestine, Ind.) singled to lead off the bottom of the second, but it would ultimately come to naught as the Eagles were able to get the next three hitters to take the 4-0 lead after two.
Things looked gloom for Ohio in the third as another error bit the `Cats hard and resulted in five big MSU runs. The `Cats would not go down quietly, however, as they battled back with four runs of their own on four in the bottom of the fourth. Ohio loaded the bases with no outs behind singles from Shalene Petrich (Chehalis, Wash.) and Sara Clark (Ontario, Calif.). Melissa Bonner (Kings Mills, Ohio) dropped a two-run single in front of the center fielder to plate Petrich and Clark. Two batters later, Jordan Paden (Walla Walla, Wash.) blooped an infield single that managed to score Candace Saucedo (Ontario, Calif.) and Bonner, who hustled all the way around from second.
The `Cats continued to try to claw their way back with two more runs in the sixth. After a Saucedo walk to open the frame, Kemezis smacked her first double of the day to right center to score Saucedo. She later came in on a blooper down the left field line from Jillian Van Wagnen (Lorain, Ohio). After putting the Eagles down in the top of the seventh, Ohio put up a valiant effort to tie things in the bottom of the seventh. After Clark and Saucedo both reached, Kemezis roped her second double of the day to empty the bases and bring the Green and White to within 10-8. Unfortunately for the `Cats, that would be all they would be able to get as MSU forced a pair of fly outs and got a strikeout to end the game.
Kemezis led the way with her two doubles and three RBI on the game, while Paden and Bonner each drove in two runs, with Paden finishing 2-for-4 on the day. Emily Wethington (New Palestine, Ind.) took the loss in the circle for the Green and White, falling to 3-5 on the season.
Game two started off relatively quiet, with neither side making much of a peep as Ohio's Caitlin Colvin (Bonney Lake, Wash.) and MSU's Sarah Funston engaged in an old-fashioned pitcher's duel and kept the opposing offense off the scoreboard through the first three innings. The Green and White broke the silence with a thunderous fourth inning that saw the `Cats plate four runs. Petrich reached on an error to start the inning and scored two batters later on a double from Wethington. Saucedo followed with a single through the left side and was replaced by Tessa Bailey (Acworth, Ga.), who quickly stole second. Colvin then deposited her third home run of the season well beyond the wall in left center to give Ohio a 4-0 lead after four.
A big two-out error in the fifth cost the `Cats as MSU capitalized to score four unearned runs, including the last three on wild pitches, to knot the action at four apiece after five. The sixth inning is ultimately what did Ohio in. The Eagles plated six big runs on three hits to take the 10-4 advantage.
The Green and White still would not go away as it battled back with three runs in the bottom of the sixth. Clark opened the inning by reaching on a MSU error, and Wethington followed by drawing a free pass. Bonner then roped a double to left center that plated Clark. Kemezis followed with her third two-bagger of the afternoon to plate Wethington and Bonner and make it 10-7. Unfortunately that would be all Ohio would get as Kemezis was thrown out trying to steal third and the Eagles were able to force a groundout. MSU added a bit of insurance in the top of the seventh with two more runs. The `Cats were unable to get the offense they needed in the bottom of the frame, and the Eagles took the doubleheader.
Petrich and Saucedo led Ohio offensively in game two, with Petrich finishing 2-for-4 and Saucedo going 2-for-3. Petrich also extended her current hitting streak to 11 games. Colvin drove in three runs with her shot, and Kemezis added two RBI to go with her double. Melissa Bonner took the loss in relief of Colvin and fell to 1-4 on the year.
Ohio will continue its homestand next weekend as it plays host to Butler Saturday in a doubleheader. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. at the Ohio softball field.
