Feb. 23, 2014
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - The Ohio University softball team (12-1) totaled three runs in the top of the eighth inning to top Northwestern State (7-7), 7-6, and increase its winning streak to four games in its final contest at the Frost Classic on Sunday (Feb. 23) at Warner Park.
The Bobcats took a 4-1 lead into the bottom of the seventh inning, but the Lady Demons plated three runs to force extras.
Ohio answered the challenge with three more runs of its own in the top of the eighth. Senior Alexandria Basquez (Elk Grove, Calif.) doubled home freshman Casie Hutchinson (Lebanon, Ohio) to lead off the frame and give the Bobcats a 5-4 lead. After sophomore Sloan Walker (Cypress, Texas) entered the game to pinch run, freshman Madison Claytor (Alpharetta, Ga.) belted a two-run home run to left to increase Ohio's advantage to three.
Northwestern State plated two runs in the home half to make it a one-run game, but Ohio called upon Lauren McClary (Pasadena, Texas) to close out the victory. The junior pitcher delivered by forcing a fly out to center by senior Tara McKenney for the second out, then striking out junior Brittany Virgoe swinging with the winning run on second base to earn her first save of the 2014 season.
McClary finished the Frost Classic with a 2-0 record in four starts - including two complete saves. She struck out 16 over 14.2 innings of work while allowing just two earned runs on 10 hits and two walks.
Sophomore Savannah Jo Dorsey (Grove City, Ohio) started in the circle for the Bobcats, striking out a season-high 11 over 7.1 frames of work to earn the pitching victory and improve to 9-1 on the season.
Offensively, every starter recorded a hit as the Bobcats pounded out 11 base knocks. Ohio recorded at least 11 hits in four of its five games at the Frost Classic. Hutchinson and sophomore Amanda Dalton (Salem, Va.) led the charge with two hits apiece.
The Bobcats will compete in the Mississippi Gulf Coast Softball Classic in Gulfport, Miss., next weekend (Feb. 28-March 2).
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