March 6, 2010
Illinois State Box Score
Texas Box Score
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Three was not the lucky number for Ohio as a pair of big third innings cost the `Cats in falling to Illinois State 10-2 and to No. 15/13 Texas 11-5 on the second day of the Tennessee Classic Saturday afternoon.
For the second day in a row, big innings doomed the `Cats (4-12) in otherwise close contests. ISU took advantage of eight runs in the third to break open Ohio's first contest, while the Longhorns rode the momentum of a six-run third in the Green and White's second game of the day. The `Cats did enjoy a strong offensive outing against Texas as they tallied nine hits while plating five runs.
With ISU holding an otherwise close 2-0 lead going into the third inning in game two, the Redbirds broke out and scored eight big runs, including three of the unearned variety, to break the game open. It was a lead the Green and White would not be able to overcome.
The `Cats scored their first run of the day in the bottom of the third, when Shalene Petrich (Chehalis, Wash.) singled up the middle to plate Melissa Bonner (Kings Mills, Ohio), who had drawn a walk to lead off the frame. Things remained that way heading into the bottom of the fifth, where Ohio would need at least two runs to keep the action going.
Bonner and Jillian Van Wagnen (Lorain, Ohio) both singled with one out, with each advancing an extra base following a fielding error on Van Wagnen's hit. Following the second out, Petrich picked up her second hit and RBI of the contest to plate Bonner again. The `Cats would not be able to get anything more, however, as ISU got the final out to bring the game to an end.
Petrich finished 2-for-3 with two RBI to pace the Green and White, while Bonner and Van Wagnen each tallied a hit, with Bonner scoring two runs. Emily Wethingto (New Palestine) took the loss in the circle to fall to 3-4 on the year.
Michelle Henderson homered and drove in five runs to lead the Redbirds, while Shelby Music finished 2-for-3 with an RBI. Megan Warner was credited with the win.
Game two didn't start off much better for the `Cats as Texas' high-powered offense came out swinging and picked up five big hits to plate three runs and take an early 3-0 lead. Ohio battled right back in the bottom of the third to chip into the Longhorns' lead. Paige Kemezis (Hackensack, N.J.) singled with one out, followed by another single from Van Wagnen and a walk from Alexis Zambrana (Alvin, Texas) to load the bases. Petrich then picked up her third total RBI of the day with a single to plate Kemezis. That would be all the Green and White would get, however, as Texas got the last two outs to stop Ohio's threat for a big inning.
The Longhorns responded in a big way, scoring six runs in the bottom of the inning, including four on an Ohio offering that missed and resulted in a grand slam for Courtney Craig. The `Cats responded with a run of their own on Jordan Paden's (Walla Walla, Wash.) second round tripper of the season to make it 9-2. Texas equaled it by plating another run in the bottom of the inning to go back up by eight.
Ohio continued to fight and put three runs on the board in the top of the fifth, all of which came on a huge Candace Saucedo (Ontario, Calif.) three-run shot to left, the first homer of the season for the senior. The Longhorns would not allow the Green and White to get any closer as they came back with another run in the bottom of the inning, which eventually resulted in the 11-5 decision.
Bonner and Van Wagnen each finished 2-for-3, while Saucedo had three RBI to help pace Ohio. Paden and Petrich each went 1-for-3 with an RBI. Bonner picked up the loss off the rubber against Texas to fall to 1-4 on the season.
The `Cats will wrap up the Tennessee Classic tomorrow when they take on the host Lady Volunteers once again for an opportunity for some payback. First pitch is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.
