Feb. 12, 2012
Box Score
SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Ohio Softball completed its participation at the 2012 USC Upstate Classic on Sunday, dropping its final game of the tournament to the host Spartans by a final score of 6-0. The Bobcats finished the tournament with an impressive 3-1 record, scoring 37 runs while only allowing 15.
For their performances throughout the weekend, Alexis Joseph, Lauren McClary and Jillian Van Wagnen were named to the All-Tournament Team. Joseph hit .429 with four RBI; Van Wagnen hit at a .500 clip and generated three RBI while McClary posted an impressive 2-1 record and a 2.70 ERA while throwing 25 strikeouts.
USC Upstate's Hannah Alexander pitched a gem of a game on Sunday, throwing a complete seven innings and striking out 12 Bobcat batters while only allowing two hits.
"USC Upstate is an aggressive and good ball club," said head coach Jodi Hermanek. "They're the type of team which we'll see again in our season schedule and we just need to go back to practice this week and correct some of things which we can control."
The Bobcats (3-1) and the Spartans battled through a scoreless first three innings. Lauren McClary pitched well again in the early innings, not allowing any hits until the fourth frame. This was the inning in which USC Upstate was able to get on the board first. Ericka Harris hit a single to shortstop and was subbed out by pinch runner Katelyn Molkenthin, who advanced to second when Shellie Robinson walked. A double by Cheyenne Griffin drove in two runs to give the Spartans a 2-0 lead.
Ohio was unable to mount a comeback in the top of the fifth inning as the side was retired in order. The `Cats did put up a good fight in the top of the sixth, nearly getting on the scoreboard. Van Wagnen (Lorain, Ohio) reached on a throwing error by the third baseman and later advanced to second when Joseph (Alvin, Texas) grounded out to the second baseman. Brooke Morgart (Wayne, Ohio) stepped up to the plate but was struck out by Hannah Alexander.
The Spartans (3-0) were able to put the game away in the sixth inning by plating four runs. A key play in this inning was a three-run home run by Kendall Settlemyre with one out. This blast gave USC Upstate a 6-0 lead which they would not relinquish.
"We're pleased with the way we came out at this tournament," Hermanek added. "We won the games we should have won in the manner in which we should have won them. We were tested today and I think we have something to respect and learn what we need to do to win these types of ball games."
Ohio Softball will next be in action at the Campbell University Tournament on Feb. 17 and 18. The Bobcats will meet up with Saint Joseph's, Campbell, Robert Morris and Towson from Buies Creek, North Carolina.
Ohio 0, USC Upstate 6
WP: Hannah Alexander (3-0)
LP: Lauren McClary (2-1)
HR: Kendall Settlemyre (1)
