April 2, 2011

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ATHENS, OHIO - With the bases loaded in the bottom of the eighth, senior Sara Clark (Ontario, Calif.) laced the game-winning single down the left field line and scored junior Alexis Joseph (Alvin, Texas) from third base in the bottom of the eighth. The Ohio softball team defeated Mid-American Conference (MAC) rival Miami 2-1 on Saturday at the Ohio Softball Field.

Joseph started the eighth with a double down the left field line on the first pitch of the inning. After a Paige Kemezis (Hackensack, N.J.) sacrifice bunt advanced Joseph to third, both Melissa Bonner (Kings Mills, Ohio) and Emily Wethington (New Palestine, Ind.) walked to load the bases. Clark took the 2-1 offering from Miami pitcher Jessica Simpson down the left field line to earn Ohio's first conference win of the season. The Bobcats stand at 12-15 overall and 1-2 in MAC play.

Ohio got on the board in the third inning on an RBI single by Kemezis. Junior Jillian Van Wagnen (Lorain, Ohio) led off the inning with a slap hit to third base. After Van Wagnen stole second she advanced to third on a ground out by Joseph. Kemezis' second hit of the game plated Van Wagnen.

The Bobcats held their 1-0 advantage into the sixth inning. Allie Larrabee drove in Meghan Mawn for Miami (15-12, 1-2 MAC). The tally knotted the score at 1-1.

Wethington earned her ninth win of the season and threw a complete game. She gave up one earned run and struck out five batters. At one point, she retired eight straight batters from the first through fourth innings. Wethington is 9-5 on the season.

The win snapped a three-game losing streak for Ohio. It was the second time in as many days the Bobcats played extra innings.

The Bobcats continue a six-game homestand and wrap up a set against Miami on Sunday at the Ohio Softball Field. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m.