April 22, 2011
Final Stats | Photo Gallery 
ATHENS, Ohio - Senior Melissa Bonner (Kings Mills, Ohio) capped a 3-for-3 game at the plate with the game-winning two-run home run in the sixth inning of game one of a Mid-American Conference (MAC) doubleheader against Central Michigan on Friday. The Bobcats took game one 4-2, before they lost the second game of the twinbill 4-3 in eight innings.
Bonner finished the first game with two RBIs and two runs scored. Classmate Emily Wethington (New Palestine, Ind.) finished the doubleheader 4-for-6 with three RBIs and a run scored. Wethington also went 1-1 in the circle on the day with nine strikeouts, including eight in a game one victory.
After Central Michigan (24-15, 9-5 MAC) scored two runs in the top of the first in game one, Ohio halved the lead in the bottom of the frame. Bonner and Wethington teamed up with back-to-back two-out hits to get on the board. After Bonner singled down the right field line, Wethington doubled to left field. Bonner was running on the play as the count to Wethington was full. Following the first inning of play the Chippewas led 2-1.
Central Michigan batted in the top of the second, and during the middle of the second a 45 minute rain delay stopped play at the Ohio Softball Field.
The Bobcats trailed by one run until Bonner hit her fourth home run of the season over the right field fence in the sixth. Senior Paige Kemezis (Hackensack, N.J.) singled up the middle one batter prior. Ohio's (16-19, 5-6 MAC) final run was scored on a fielding error. Freshman Alyssa Wolfe (Junction City, Ohio) crossed the plate and was running for Wethington. The tally made the score 4-2.
In the second game, Ohio led 3-0 after two innings and used the long ball to build its lead again. After Wethington singled up the middle, Wolfe pinch ran and scored on a squeeze bunt by freshman Raven King (Alpine, Utah). In the third with Alexis Joseph (Alvin, Texas) on third, Wethington drove a 3-1 pitch from Kari Seddon over the left field fence.
Bonner kept the Chippewas off the board for the first six innings. She work out of jams with two on in the first, third and sixth innings.
However, in the seventh, Central Michigan scored three runs on an RBI single by Brittini Merchant and a two-RBI double by Danielle Cabrera. After the Bobcats went down in order in the bottom of the seventh, the Chippewas took a 4-3 lead in the eighth when a Summer Knoop sacrifice fly to left field scored Amanda Klosterman.
In the bottom of the eighth, Ohio loaded the bases with one out. Senior Sara Clark (Ontario, Calif.) singled and King and Alexandria Basquez (Elk Grove, Calif.) both drew walks. The threat would end when Brooke Morgart (Wayne, Ohio) lined out to third and sophomore Caitlin Colvin (Bonney Lake, Wash.) struck out swinging to end the game in a pinch hit appearance.
Wethington suffered the loss in game two. She pitched the eighth inning in the game. Wethington is now 13-8 after she won game one as well.
Ohio will open a two-game series with the Eastern Michigan Eagles this weekend. The set begins Saturday, April 23, at 2 p.m.
