April 16, 2010
Game 1 Box Score Game 2 Box Score
YPSILANTI, Mich. - Emily Wethington drove in seven runs on the day and Ohio's offense pounded out 21 hits over two games as the `Cats swept a doubleheader with Eastern Michigan, 11-2 and 6-1, Friday at Varsity field.
Wethington (New Palestine, Ind.) totaled five hits on the day, including a three-run double in game one and a three-run homer in the second game. She also went the distance in game two, giving up only one run to pick up the win and improve to 5-9 on the year. The Green and White offense, meanwhile, tallied double-digit hits in both games to help power the `Cats, who improved to 6-2 in Mid-American Conference play and 11-24 overall. The Eagles fell to 13-22 overall and 3-7 in league play.
After dropping a tough second game late in a doubleheader earlier this week, Ohio erupted for a season-high 11 runs on 11 hits to pound the Eagles in game one. The top four hitters in the Green and White's lineup each scored two runs on the day, including Melissa Bonner (Kings Mills, Ohio), Paige Kemezis (Hackensack, N.J.), Shalene Petrich (Chehalis, Wash.) and Wethington. With her two runs, Petrich moved into second place on the program's all-time list for runs scored.
Wethington finished 3-for-4 with four RBI to go with her two runs to help pace Ohio. Bonner tallied a pair of hits while coming in 2-for-4 with an RBI. The junior was also strong off the rubber, where she struck out a career-best 11 hitters while allowing just one earned run in a complete-game effort. With the win, she improves to 5-7 on the season. Sara Clark (Ontario, Calif.) enjoyed a nice game as she doubled and drove in two runs. Jordan Paden (Walla Walla, Wash.) and Petrich each drove in a run.
Action was relatively quiet through the first three and one half innings as the `Cats' Melissa Bonner (Kings Mills, Ohio) and EMU's Jamie Melchert engaged in an old-fashioned pitcher's duel. The Eagles finally broke the silence with a Nellie Coquillard homer to right to take a 1-0 lead.
Things stayed that way until the Green and White exploded with seven huge runs in the top of the sixth. Bonner drove in Elizabeth Eyrise (Brookfield, Wisc.), who came in to pinch run after Deanna Hartsough (Santa Ana, Calif.) singled to start the inning. Petrich drew a bases-loaded walk to score Brooke Morgart (Wayne, Ohio) for the second run, before Wethington cleared the bases with a double to right. Clark followed suit immediately after with a double of her own to bring in Wethington for the sixth run. Clark then scored the final run of the inning two batters later when she hustled across on a wild pitch.
EMU took advantage of a wild pitch and a passed ball to score its second run of the contest in the bottom of the sixth. Ohio kept rolling in the top of the seventh with four more runs. Wethington started things with a single to third to score Bonner, who had singled earlier. Clark then reached on an error that plated both Petrich and Kemezis, who had also reached on a single. Paden then singled to score Wethington for the fourth run.
The Eagles got on the board first in game two with a run in the bottom of the first. Sarah Gerber doubled to right center to score Katy Blaharski and put EMU out in front 1-0.
After a quiet second inning, the `Cats' offense came alive again with four runs in the top of the third. Petrich singled up the middle to score Bonner, who had opened the frame with a single, for the first run. Wethington then capped off the stanza with a three-run blast to left for her fifth homer of the season, which tied her for second with Jenny Tisevich (2002-05) on the school's all-time list.
Ohio extended its lead even more with two more runs in the top of the fifth. A Clark sacrifice fly brought in Petrich. Paden then singled down the right field line to plate Eyrise, who had come in to pinch run for Wethington after she had singled, for the second run of the frame. Wethington kept the Eagles off the board the rest of the way as the Green and White wrapped up the sweep.
Wethington and Bonner each went 2-for-4 in the second game, while Wethington picked up three RBI. Petrich enjoyed a solid game as well as she singled, drove in a run, scored twice and also swiped a base. She is now just one run from tying for first on the school's all-time list for runs scored. Clark and Paden each drove in a run in the contest as well.
Ohio will now head to Central Michigan where it will battle the Chippewas tomorrow and Sunday afternoons. First pitch Saturday is set for 2 p.m. with live stats available at OhioBobcats.com.
