March 17, 2012
Box Score (Game One)| Box Score (Game Two)
CHARLESTON, S.C. â€" Ohio Softball opened competition at the 2012 Charleston Southern Tournament on Saturday, playing against Longwood and tournament host Charleston Southern. The ‘Cats went 1-1 on the day, dropping their first game before ending the day on a positive note with a win in game two.
With the 1-1 result on Saturday, the Bobcats are now 9-10 on the season. Ohio played well defensively on Saturday, only allowing six total hits in the two games.
Ohio and Longwood battled back and forth in the first few innings of the opening game. The Bobcats received solid pitching from freshman Lauren McClary (Pasadena, Texas) throughout the first few frames. McClary only allowed one Longwood player to advance to third base in the first four innings.
The Bobcats strung together a few good hits in the fourth inning but came just short of finding the scoreboard first. With one out in the fourth, Raven King (Alpine, Utah) doubled down the left field line to begin a rally. Jenna Giusti (Danville, Calif.) was then hit by a pitch before Alyssa Wolfe (Junction City, Ohio) singled to third base to load the bases. Unfortunately for Ohio, Ashley Cornell was able to retire the next two batters to dodge the threat.
The Lancers were able to take a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the fifth inning, scoring the first run of the day when Kori Nishitomi doubled to right center to bring in Leta Bressin. A sacrifice fly to center field by Brooke Short drove in the second run of the inning.
Longwood was then able to add five more runs in the bottom of the sixth to put the game out of reach. Ohio had a few control issues in the inning, allowing seven walks and throwing two wild pitches.
Ohio 0, Longwood 7
WP: Ashley Cornell (3-1)
LP: Lauren McClary (4-6)
HR: None
The Bobcats got going right from the start in their second game of the day, scoring one run in each of the first two innings against Charleston Southern.
With two outs in the top of the first, Chelsea Hortman (Cincinnati, Ohio) got hit by a pitch and advanced to first base. She was driven in by a clutch double from King. Lauren Gellerman (San Diego, Calif.) was up next and nearly kept the rally alive but her sharp line drive was snatched by the shortstop.
Jillian Van Wagnen (Lorain, Ohio) then drove in Ohio’s second run of the afternoon, hitting a single to the pitcher to bring Giusti home. Giusti started the rally by hitting a single and working her way to third through some impressive baserunning.
Charleston Southern was able to find the board in the bottom of the third inning, scoring on a sacrifice fly from Stephanie Sbardella. This was all of the offense that the ‘Cats would allow for the rest of the day, however, as the Buccaneers would only register two hits in the final four innings.
Ohio 2, Charleston Southern 1
WP: Kaylin Clarke (2-2)
LP: Jennifer Giles (2-6)
HR: None
The Bobcats will next be in action on Sunday, March 18 when they close out the tournament against Longwood (1 p.m.) and Charleston Southern (3 p.m.).
