Final Stats

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KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Capped off by a five-run seventh inning, the Ohio softball team (23-6, 4-0) extended its winning streak to 10 games Friday afternoon, defeating Mid-American Conference West foe Western Michigan (12-16, 0-4), 9-1, at Ebert Field.

“I was really excited for such a big offensive day,” head coach Jodi Hermanek said. “I was also really happy to see such a strong day from Dani and watching her get stronger as the day went on was great. I was really pleased to get a big quality win.”

The Bobcats struck first in the top of the first inning. With two outs, Alex Day (Hilliard, Ohio) walked, extending her on base streak to 22-straight games. She then advanced to third on a singled to shallow centerfield by Morgan Geno (Chillicothe, Ohio). Day would then score on a base hit up the middle from Natalie Alvarez (Long Beach, Calif.), giving Ohio a 1-0 lead after the first half inning.

Western Michigan tied the game up in the bottom of the frame when Ivy Schaaf led the inning off with a double. She then advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt from Erin Barg. Then with two outs, Marleee Wilson would single through the left side, scoring Schaaf. WMU would threaten to add on, with the next batter, Aspen Williams hitting a single to left field, putting runners on first and second with two outs. However, starter Danielle Stiene (Loveland, Ohio) would get Erin Binkowski to strike out and the Bobcats would go to the top of the second with the game tied at 1-1.

After a scoreless inning from the Bobcats in the top of the second, WMU attempted to add on in the bottom of the frame. With one out, Courtney Sleeman singled to left field. She then advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Mackenzi Swinehart. Sleeman was then replaced by a pinch runner. The runner then advanced to third on a passed ball. Then with two outs and a runner on third, Stiene got Schaaf to strike out swinging, ending the inning with the game still tied at 1-1.

After a scoreless third inning from both teams, the Bobcats went to work in the top of the fourth inning. Geno led off with a singled up the middle. She was then replaced on the bases by MacKenzie Brunswick (Bellefontaine, Ohio). She then advanced to second on a base hit by Alvarez. Mikayla Cooper (Delaware, Ohio) would then draw a walk, loading the bases with no outs. Then with one out, Casie Hutchinson (Lebanon, Ohio) would reach first on a fielder’s choice, allowing Brunswick to score from third and putting the Bobcats up 2-1.

After the Broncos stranded a runner in the bottom of the fourth, Ohio added on in the top of the fifth innings. With one out, Deanna Cole (Akron, Ohio) singled to the shortstop. She then stole second. Day would then extend her hitting streak to 17 games when she doubled to left center, scoring Cole, and putting the Bobcats up 3-1.

WMU threatened in the bottom of the fifth. Schaaf led the inning off when she reached base on a fielding error by the Bobcats. She then reached second on a ground out by Barg. Stiene would then get Kelsea Cichocki to strike out and after a lengthy at bat, she would get to Wilson to line out to Taylor Saxton (Circleville, Ohio) to end the inning, and keep the Bobcats’ lead at 3-1.

The Bobcats would add on again in the top of the sixth inning. With two outs, Hutchinson would take the first pitch she saw and crushed it to right center for her second home run of the season. Alexa Holland (Rochester, Ind.) would then take the first pitch that she saw and rope a double to left center. Jamie Wren (Whittier, Calif.) would then walk, putting runners on first and second. However, the Bobcats would be unable to score again, but would go into the bottom of the frame with a 4-1 lead.

After a one-two-three inning from the Ohio defense in the bottom of the sixth inning, the Bobcats went back to work in the top of the seventh inning. Day would reach on a WMU fielding error. She would then reach second when Alverez walked. Then with one out and runners on first and second, Cooper would crush her third home run of the season to left center, giving the Bobcats a 7-1 lead.

Still with one out, Madison Claytor (Alpharetta, Ga.) would reach on a hard hit single. Claytor was then replaced on the bases by Alexis Milesky (Plain City, Ohio), and would reach second on a passed ball. Hutchinson would then draw a walk, putting runners on first and second. Holland would then crush her second double of the day to left center, scoring Milesky from second and putting runners on second and third, still with one out. With two outs, Cole would reach first on a fielding error by the WMU third baseman, scoring Hutchinson, putting Ohio up 9-1.

In the bottom of the seventh inning, the Ohio defense would send the Broncos down in order to send the Bobcats away with the 9-1 victory.

At the plate, Ohio scored nine runs on 11 hits. Alvarez went 2-for-3 with and RBI and a run scored and Geno went 2-for-4, along with Holland who was 2-for-4 with two doubles. Cooper when 1-for-3 with a three-run home run, and Hutchinson went 1-for-3 with a home run, two RBI and two runs scored. Day extended her hitting streak to 17 games with her one hit while adding an RBI and two runs scored. Cole added a hit and a run scored, while Claytor also added a hit for the Bobcats.

In the circle, Stiene (8-2) pitched all seven innings to earn her eighth in of the season. She allowed one run on five hits while striking out seven and walking one.

Ohio and Western Michigan return to action on Saturday, April 1 to wrap up the three game series with a doubleheader. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. at Ebert Field, with game two to follow right after.

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