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ATLANTA, Ga. – The Ohio softball team (0-2) opened its 2020 season this afternoon at the Buzz Classic hosted by Georgia Tech. The Bobcats dropped their first game of the day to UAB (2-0), 4-2, before falling to No. 1 Washington (1-0), 10-2 later in the afternoon.
"We learned a lot about what we can be capable of today," second year head coach Kenzie Roark said. "If we take care of the ball, we will be in good shape. It's hard to win ball games when you don't do the small things at a high level. They believe in the process and tomorrow is a new day."
GAME ONE: UAB 4, Ohio 2
The Ohio defense and redshirt sophomore starting pitcher Baylie Thornhill (Baton Rouge, La.) opened the game by sending UAB down in order in the top of the first inning. The Bobcats' offense didn't waste any time to get on the board. Junior Allie Englant (Long Beach, Calif.) doubled to left center to lead off the inning before moving to third on a wild pitch. Then, junior Katie Yun (North Canton, Ohio) took a 2-1 pitch and crushed it over the left center wall, putting Ohio up 2-0. Still with no outs, sophomore Caitlin Fogue (Columbia, Mo.) drew a walk. Fogue moved to second on a fly out and then to third when freshman Sophia Bernard (Canton, Ohio) reached on an error. However, the Bobcats were unable to add another run, sending the game to the top of the second inning with a 2-0 lead.
UAB tied the game in the top of the second inning on a one-out homerun and a two-out RBI single to knot the game at 2-2 going into the bottom of the inning. Then with two outs in the bottom of the second inning, Englant singled up the middle, however the Bobcats were unable to move her home, sending the game to the top of the third with it still tied at 2-2.
After a scores third inning, UAB added a run in the top of the fourth inning on a one-out error, giving the Blazers a 3-2 lead going into the bottom of the frame. Bernard led the bottom of the third off with a single down the leftfield line. Freshman Sydney Larson (Liberty Township, Ohio) entered the game to run for Bernard, however, the Bobcats were unable to get her around, sending the game to the top of the fifth inning with Ohio trailing 3-2.
After the Bobcat defense was able to force UAB to leave two runners on in the top of the fifth inning, Yun reached first on a single in the Bobcats of the frame, however Ohio was unable to tie the game up, sending it to the top of the sixth with UAB still leading, 3-2.
After a scoreless sixth inning from both teams, UAB added a run in the top of the seventh inning on a one-out RBI single to give the Blazers a 4-2 lead. The Bobcats entered the final frame looking for the equalizer, however were unable to get the offense going, falling by the final of 4-2.
Overall, Ohio scored two runs on five hits and committed one error, while UAB scored four runs on 12 hits while also committing one error.
At the plate, Englant when 2-3 with a double, single and a run scored, while Yun also went 2-for-3, with a homerun, a single and two RBI. Bernard also added a hit for the Bobcats.
In the circle, Thornhill (0-1), pitched all seven innings, allowing four runs, three earned, on 12 hits. She struck out two and did not walk a batter.
GAME TWO: No. 1 Washington 7, Ohio 2
The Bobcats got the first baserunner of the game in the top of the first inning when Englant drew a leadoff walk. She then stole second and moved to third on a passed ball. However, the Bobcats were unable to get Englant home, sending the game of the bottom of the frame with the game still scoreless. In the bottom of the first inning, Washington got their first baserunner on a leadoff bunt single by Sis Bates. However, the Ohio defense turned a double play to record the first two outs of the inning. Starting pitcher junior Madi McCrady (Brimfield, Ohio) then got the final Washington batter to fly put, sending the game to the top of the second with it still scoreless.
After Ohio went down in order in the top of the second, Washington struck first in the bottom of the frame on a two-out homerun by Noelle Hee. However, Ohio responded in the top of the third inning. With two outs, Englant drew her second walk of the game and then scored on an RBI double from Yun that went to center field. Moments later, freshman Molly Troutman (Gahanna, Ohio) picked the perfect time to record her first career hit, an RBI double to left center, giving Ohio a 2-1 lead going to the bottom of the third.
Washington responded in the bottom of the third inning on a two RBI double and a two RBI triple to take a 5-2 lead. Washington added two more runs before the inning was over to take a 7-2 lead going into the fourth inning.
After Washington went down in order in the bottom of the fourth, the Bobcats threatened in the top of the fifth inning. With two outs, Englant singled to short and then advanced to third when Yun doubled down the left field line. However, Ohio was unable to push a run across and sent the game to the bottom of the frame with Washington still leading 7-2.
After a scoreless fifth and top of the sixth inning for the Bobcats, Washington added three more runs off of a homerun by Baylee Klinger, sealing the 10-2 victory for the Huskies.
Overall, Ohio scored two runs on four hits and did not commit an error, while Washington scored 10 runs on 10 hits and did not record an error.
For Ohio, Yun went 2-for-3 with two doubles, one run scored and one RBI. Englant added a hit and a run scored, while Troutman registered a double and an RBI.
In the circle, McCrady (0-1) got the start, pitching 2.2 innings, allowing seven runs on six hits, while walking three. Sophomore Mackensie Kohl (Corona Del Mar, Calif.) entered the game in the third inning and threw three innings, allowing three runs on three hits, while walking two and striking out one.
UP NEXT
The Bobcats are back in action at the 2020 Buzz Classic on Saturday, Feb. 8 when they face off against Furman. First pitch is set for 10 a.m.
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