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ATHENS, Ohio – The Ohio softball team (6-12) returned to Athens for the first time in 2022, rallying from a 7-1 deficit to defeat Marshall (16-6), 8-7, in the home opener at the Ohio Softball Field. The win snapped the Herd's 11-game winning streak. 
 
Overall, Ohio scored eight runs on 10 hits and recorded one error, while Marshall scored seven runs on 11 hits and registered one error.
 
Individually, graduate student Megan McMenemy (Westerville, Ohio) went 3-for-4 with a double, triple and homerun, scoring one run and registering four RBI. Senior Caroline Spacek (Beaumont, Texas) added two hits, a double and one run scored, while sophomore Yasmine Logan (Pittsburgh, Pa.) had two hits, one run and drew one walk. Senior Caitlin Fogue (Columbia, Mo.), who entered the game for an injured Allie Englant (Long Beach, Calif.) recorded one hit, one RBI and scored one run. Graduate student Tori Walker (Plain City, Ohio) added a homerun, while sophomore Tori O'Brien (Mason, Ohio) added one hit. 
 
Marshall struck first in the top of the first inning. With two outs, the Herd got on the board with a solo homerun to take a 1-0 lead. Then after loading the bases, Marshall added a run after a batter was hit by a pitch, giving them a 2-0 lead. Then with the bases still juiced, a passed ball allowed fifth year Brooke Rice (Mason, Ohio) to throw the ball to starting pitcher Mackensie Kohl (Corona Del Mar, Calif.), who was covering home to get the final out of the inning. 
 
Ohio threatened in the bottom of the frame. Englant led the inning off with a walk, however, was called out for leaving first early on an attempted steal. Then with two outs, McMenemy reached on a double to left center, followed by sophomore Annalia Paoli (Point Marion, Pa.) drawing a walk to put runners on first and second. However, the Bobcats were unable to capitalize, sending the game to the second with Marshall still leading, 2-0. 
 
After the Bobcats' defense worked their way out of the top of the second, Ohio threatened again. After Logan reached first on a hit with one out, she stole second, putting herself in scoring position. However, the Bobcats were unable to capitalize sending the game to the third with the Herd still leading, 2-0. 
 
After the Bobcats worked their way out of a bases loaded jam in the top of the third, the Bobcats threatened in the bottom of the inning. Englant drew another walk to lead off and then moved to second on a single to right by Spacek. Then with two outs, both runners advanced on a passed ball, however, the Bobcats missed out on an opportunity to score on a close play at first base, sending the game to the fourth with Ohio trailing, 2-0. 
 
After Ohio left a runner on in the bottom of the fourth, Marshall took a 5-0 lead after scoring three runs on four hits in the top of the fifth inning. 
 
The Bobcats got on the board in the bottom of the frame when Fogue led off with a base hit. She then scored on a one-out triple from McMenemy, cutting the Marshall lead to 5-1. Unfortunately, the Bobcats were unable to add on, sending the game to the top of the sixth, trailing 5-1. Marshall added on in the top of the sixth inning, scoring two runs on three hits to take a 7-1 lead after six and a half innings. 
 
Ohio got a run back in the bottom of the sixth when Tori Walker hit a one-out solo homerun to right center. The Bobcats added on later in the inning when O'Brien singled and then advanced to third on a double to left by Spacek. Then moments later, McMenemy crushed a two-out, three-run homerun to center, cutting the Marshall lead to 7-5 going into the top of the seventh inning. 
 
After a solid defensive frame from the Bobcats that gave Ohio life, the Bobcats offense went to work in the bottom of the seventh inning. After Rice drew a one-out walk, Emily Walker (Plain City, Ohio) entered the game to run. After Logan walked, both runners advanced on a passed ball, placing runners in scoring position with one out. After a pitching change from The Herd, Tori Walker drew a walk to load the bases. 
 
Pinch hitter, freshman Regan Farmer (Baltimore, Ohio) entered the game and hit the ball on the ground at the new Marshall short stop, coring a throwing error that scored Emily Walker and Logan, trying the game at 7-7. Then with a runner on second and third with one-out, Fogue came to the place and grounded out to force, but in the process, freshman Lauren Yuhas (West Mifflin, Pa.) was able to score from third, sending the Bobcats home with the 8-7 victory. 
 
Kohl got the start, pitching 4.1 innings, allowing five runs on seven hits, walked six and struck out four. Senior Kaylie Coffelt (Beloit, Ohio) entered the game in the fifth inning, pitching 2.2 innings, allowing two runs on four hits, and walked three, picking up her second victory of the season.
 
Up next, the Bobcats head to Buffalo to open Mid-American Conference play. March 18-19. Ohio will take on Buffalo in a doubleheader on Friday, March 18 starting at 4 p.m. Ohio will conclude the series on Saturday, March 19 at 2 p.m. All three games will take place at Canisius College. 
 
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