March 20, 2012
Box Score (Game One) | Box Score (Game Two)
CULLOWHEE, N.C. - Ohio Softball split its doubleheader with Western Carolina on Tuesday, defeating the Catamounts 10-5 in the first game before falling 9-6 in the second. The Bobcat bats were on fire during this doubleheader, clubbing 25 hits and 16 runs during the two games.
Ohio got into a 3-0 hole early in the first game of the day before battling its way back to pick up the win. The first two Catamount batters came aboard via walks before Erin Foster singled up the middle to drive in a run. A run-scoring sacrifice bunt and strikeout later, it looked as though Ohio would be able to limit the damage to just two runs. Shemekia Scotton then singled to left center with two outs, driving in one more run to make it 3-0.
The Bobcats answered back in the fourth inning, plating three runs of their own to level the score at three apiece. Two errors by the Catamount defense and a well-timed RBI single by Alexandria Basquez (Elk Grove, Calif.) put the Bobcats back on level ground. Critical in this half inning was a sacrifice bunt by Jenna Giusti (Danville, Calif.) which advanced two runners into scoring position.
Ohio took its first lead of the day in the top of the fifth frame, adding two runs on Raven King's fourth home run of the season. The sophomore from Alpine, Utah blasted a shot over the left field wall to drive in Brooke Morgart (Wayne, Ohio) and make it 5-3.
After Western Carolina (10-17) pulled even in the bottom of the fifth, Ohio drove in five runs in the top of the sixth inning to put the game out of reach. Timmie Rappe (Wheaton, Ill.) got things started for the Green and White, hitting a leadoff single which was immediately followed by one from Erin Lashley (Pickerington, Ohio). These two Bobcats were driven in a few hitters later when Alexis Joseph (Alvin, Texas) singled to right field, making the score 7-5 in favor of Ohio.
Adrienne Gebele (Annapolis, Md.) then singled to third, driving in Morgart before Rappe walked with the bases loaded, driving in pinch-runner Dakota Pyles (Galloway, Ohio).
Ohio 10, Western Carolina 5
WP: Lauren McClary (5-7)
LP: Amber Steinhardt (2-4)
HR: Raven King (5), Erin Foster
In the second game of the day Ohio (10-13) leapt out to an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first. The `Cats took the lead when Morgart was able to score from third on a wild pitch. Chelsea Hortman (Cincinnati, Ohio) was then able to double the advantage, coming around to score when Lauren Gellerman (San Diego, Calif.) singled to third base.
Facing a 3-2 disadvantage in the bottom of the fifth inning, the Catamounts came alive and scored seven runs. Ohio was close to limiting the damage at just one run, but Western Carolina was able to score six of the seven runs with two outs.
The Bobcats made a valiant comeback in the top of the sixth inning, scoring three runs trim the lead. Giusti started the rally with a single and was driven in shortly thereafter by a three-run blast from Gebele. Jillian Van Wagnen (Lorain, Ohio) singled and was then able to get to second base but would not come any closer.
Ohio 6, Western Carolina 9
WP: Amber Steinhardt (3-4)
LP: Caitlin Colvin (3-3)
S: Jordan Garrett
HR: Adrienne Gebele (1), Erin Foster
The Bobcats will next be in action on March 27 when Eastern Kentucky comes to Athens. This doubleheader matchup will begin at 1 p.m. and is Ohio's home opener.
