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ATHENS, Ohio – Despite a 50-minute rain delay, the Ohio softball team (11-17, 5-4 MAC), opened a three-game series with Akron (10-20, 5-4 MAC) on Tuesday afternoon (April 5), taking game one of the series, 2-1, at the Ohio Softball Field. 
 
Overall, Ohio scored two runs on four hits and did not commit an error, while Akron scored one run on six hits and committed two errors. 
 
Individually, sophomore Yasmine Logan (Pittsburgh, Pa.) had one double and one RBI, while fifth year Allie Englant (Long Beach, Calif.) added a hit, walk, run scored and two stolen bases. Senior Caroline Spacek (Beaumont, Texas) and graduate student Tori Walker (Plain City, Ohio) both added hits for the Bobcats. 
 
Akron got the first hit of the game with a leadoff single. However, the Ohio defense stepped up, helping send the game to the second inning with the game still scoreless. In the top of the second inning, Akron got runners on base again, drawing a two out walk. The Zips then roped a double to right center, however, Englant relayed the ball perfectly to graduate student Megan McMenemy (Westerville, Ohio), who was able to throw the runner out at home, ending the threat and sending the game to the bottom of the second still scoreless. 
 
Ohio struck in the bottom of the second when sophomore Annalia Paoli (Point Marion, Pa.) reached on an error from second base. She then moved to second on a single from Spacek, putting runners on first and second with no outs. Then with one out, Walker crushed a single to left center, where the leftfielder bobbled the ball, allowing Paoli to score, giving Ohio a 1-0 lead after two innings. 
 
Akron tied the game up in the top of the third inning, scoring a run on a one-out double off the top of the right field wall, knotting the game at 1-1 going to the bottom of the frame. The Bobcats retook the lead in the bottom of the third. After Englant reached on a leadoff walk and then stole second, Logan crushed a double to right center, scoring Englant and giving Ohio a 2-1 lead after three innings. 
 
After a few uneventful frames, the Bobcats threatened in the bottom of the fifth inning. With one out, Englant reached on an infield single and then stole second. She advanced to third on a groundout, however, Ohio was unable to get her home, sending the game to the sixth inning with the Bobcats leading, 2-1. 
 
As the rain picked back up, Akron threatened in the top of the sixth inning, starting the inning off with a leadoff double. However, the Bobcats were able to retire the next two batters on two pitches, before getting the Zips' pinch hitter to end the inning with a strikeout, sending the game to the bottom of the frame with Ohio still leading. 2-1. 
 
After a scoreless bottom of the sixth, the Ohio defense was able to slam the door on Akron' offense, sending the Zips down in order, sealing Ohio's 2-1 win. 
 
In the circle, senior Mackensie Kohl (Corona Del Mar, Calif.) pitched seven innings, allowing one run on six hits, walked one and struck out six. 
 
The Bobcats are back in action on Wednesday, April 6 when Ohio takes on Akron in a doubleheader. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. at the OSF. 
 
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