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MUNCIE, Ind. – The Ohio softball team (15-17, 9-4 MAC) returned to action on Sunday afternoon (April 10), sweeping Ball State (12-21, 5-5 MAC) in a doubleheader, while extending its winning streak to seven games. The Bobcats took game one, 7-5 in eight innings, before securing the 6-4 victory in game two. 
 
GAME ONE: Ohio 7, Ball State 5 (8 innings)
Overall, Ohio scored seven runs on eight hits and had one error, while Ball State scored five runs on 11 hits and committed two errors. 
 
Individually, sophomore Annalia Paoli (Point Marion, Pa.) registered two hits with one run scored, while junior Sophia Bernard (Canton, Ohio) hit the go-ahead homerun. Sophomore Yasmine Logan (Pittsburgh, Pa.) added a double and an RBI, while graduate student Megan McMenemy (Westerville, Ohio) registered one hit and two RBI. Senior Caroline Spacek (Beaumont, Texas) registered one hit and a run scored, while freshman Lauren Yuhas (West Mifflin, Pa.) added a homerun, RBI and two runs scored. Fifth year Brooke Rice (Mason, Ohio) added a hit and a run scored, while fifth year Allie Englant (Long Beach, Calif.) added an RBI and a run scored. 
 
Ball State threatened in the bottom of the first inning, loading the bases with two outs. However, starting pitcher Mackensie Kohl (Corona Del Mar, Calif.) was able to get the final batter of the inning to go down swinging, keeping the game scoreless. The Bobcats' first hit of the game came in the top of the second inning when Spacek led off with a single, however, Ohio was unable to capitalize, keeping the game tied at 0-0. 
 
After a scoreless third inning from both sides, the Bobcats struck in the top of the fourth inning. Paoli led the inning off with a single to left and then advanced to second when Spacek reached on an error. Then with two out, Rice singled, allowing Paoli to score on a fielding error. After the error, Yuhas, Logan and Englant all drew walks, giving Ohio a 3-0 lead and forcing a Ball State pitching change. McMenemy then came to bat, roping a two-RBI single to center, giving the Bobcats. 5-0 lead going to the bottom of the inning. 
 
Ball State cut into Ohio's lead in the bottom of the fifth inning, scoring two runs on three hits and capitalized on two doubles and an RBI single, cutting Ohio's lead to 5-2 after five full innings.  The Cardinals went on to tie the game up at 5-5 in the bottom of the sixth inning, scoring three runs on three hits and was highlighted by a two-RBI triple. 
 
Ohio threatened to retake the lead in the top of the seventh inning when Paoli singled with two outs. However, the Bobcats were unable to capitalize, sending the game of the bottom of the seventh tied at 5-5. 
 
The Bobcats retook the lead in the top of the eighth innings when Bernard crushed a first-pitch leadoff homerun to left. Then with two outs, Ohio added on when Yuhas hit a homerun of her own to left, giving Ohio a 7-5 lead going to the bottom of the frame. 
 
Ball State threatened in the bottom of the eighth, starting the inning off with a leadoff single. However, the Ohio defense held solid, getting the next three batters out, sealing the 70- victory. 
 
In the circle, Kohl pitched all eight innings, allowing five runs on 11 hits, walked four and struck out eight in the effort. 
 
GAME TWO: Ohio 6, Ball State 4
Overall, Ohio scored six runs on 10 hits and committed on error, while Ball State scored four runs on seven hits and did not commit an error.
 
Individually, Logan led Ohio going 3-for-5 with a homerun, RBI and two runs scored. Spacek added two hits, one double and a run scored, while graduate transfer Tori Walker (Plain City, Ohio) had a homerun, three RBI and a run scored. Englant added a hit and a run scored, while McMenemy recorded one double. Paoli registered one hit and two RBI, while Rice registered one hit. 
 
Ohio struck first in the top of the first inning. Englant singled to lead off the game and then moved to third when Logan singled to center. With one out and runners on second and third, Paoli singled through the right side, giving Ohio the 2-0 lead going into the bottom of the frame. 
 
The Bobcats added on in the top of the third inning on a leadoff homerun to center from Logan, putting Ohio up 3-0 going into the bottom of the inning. Ball State cut the Ohio lead to one in the bottom of the frame, scoring on an RBI single to cut the lead to 3-2. 
 
Ohio threatened to add on in the top of the fourth inning. After the Bobcats loaded the bases with no outs, Ball State was able to get the next two batters out on infield flies, before forcing a ground out to end the inning, stopping the Bobcats' threat, sending the game to the bottom of the inning with Ohio still leading by one run. 
 
Ohio added on in the top of the fifth inning. With one out, Spacek drew a walk and Bernard was hit by a pitch to put runners on. Walker then came to the plate and crushed a three-run homerun to left field, giving Ohio a 6-2 lead. Ball State got a run back in the bottom of the inning, scoring one run on three hits to cut the Bobcats' lead to 6-3 going into the sixth inning. 
 
The Bobcats threatened to add on in the top of the sixth inning. With one out, Logan singled and then advanced to third on a double from McMenemy. However, after a Ball State pitching change, the Cardinals' defense was able to work their way out of the jam, sending the game to the bottom of the frame with Ohio still leading 6-3. 
 
Ohio threatened to add on again in the top of the seventh. With one out, Walker drew a walk and then stole second. With two outs, Yuhas was hit by a pitch and Englant drew a walk to load the bases. However, Ball State as able to retire the next batter on a strikeout, sending the game to the bottom of the seventh with Ohio leading, 6-3. 
 
Ball State attempted to rally in the bottom of the seventh inning. After a one-out homerun to cut the lead to 6-4, the Cardinals got another runner in scoring position with a two-out double. However, the Ohio defense was able to record the final out, securing the 6-4 victory. 
 
In the circle, senior Kylie Coffelt (Beloit, Ohio) pitched seven innings, allowing four runs, three earned, on seven hits, while walking two and striking out six. 
 
UP NEXT
The Bobcats and Cardinals wrap up the three-game series tomorrow afternoon (April 11). First pitch is set for 10 a.m. 
 
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