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COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Ohio softball team (8-11) returned to action on Friday, March 10 in the first day of the Tennessee Tech Tournament. The Bobcats defeated Robert Morris, 8-1 (5-10), in the first game, before returning later in the afternoon to defeat Tennessee Tech (1-17), 4-1, in game two. 
 
GAME ONE; Ohio 8, Robert Morris 1
Overall, Ohio scored eight runs on six hits and had one error, while Robert Morris scored one run on two hits and had no errors. 
 
Individually, junior Annalia Paoli (Point Marion, Pa.) had one double, three RBI and a run scored, while freshman Shelby Westler (Marion, Ohio) had a triple, three RBI and a run scored. Freshman Belle Hummel (Cincinnati, Ohio) added a hit and a run scored, while sophomore Emma Hoffner (New Stanton, Pa.) had a hit, run scored and RBI. Juniors Sydney Grein (Mokena, Ill.) and Tori O'Brien (Mason, Ohio) both had hits and runs scored, while junior Yasmine Logan (Pittsburgh, Pa.) drew three walks and a scored two runs. 
 
In the circle, graduate student Kylie Coffelt (Beloit, Ohio) pitched seven innings, allowing one run on two hits, while walking four and striking out two. 
 
Ohio struck in the top of the first inning. With one out, Logan drew a walk and then moved to second on a wild pitch. After Paoli walked, both stole bases to put runners on second and third with one out. Then with two outs, Hoffner walked, setting up a three-RBI triple from Westler, putting the Bobcats up 3-0. Moments later, Westler scored on a wild pitch, giving Ohio a 4-0 lead going to the bottom of the first frame. Robert Morris attempted to get on the board in the bottom of the inning, getting runners on second and third with one out. However, the Ohio defense was able to produce two ground outs, sending the game to the second with Ohio leading, 4-0. 
 
After a scoreless two innings by both team, Ohio attempted to add on in the top of the fourth inning. After Hoffner led off with a walk, sophomore Lauren Yuhas (West Mifflin, Pa) entered to run for her. She then stole second and advanced to third on a ground out. However, the Bobcats were unable to capitalize, sending the game to the bottom of the inning with Ohio still leading, 4-0. 
 
The Bobcats added on in the top of the fifth inning. After O'Brien led off the inning with an infield single, she moved to second when Logan drew another walk. After both stole a base to put runners on second and third, a ground out by Paoli allowed O'Brien to score from third, giving Ohio a 5-0 lead going to the bottom of the fifth inning. 
 
Robert Morris scored a run in the in the bottom of the sixth inning to cut Ohio's deficit to 5-1 going into the final frame. 
 
Despite the run, Ohio added on in the top of the seventh after Grein singled to lead off the inning, she moved to second on a sacrifice bunt from O'Brien. After a single from Hummel and another walk from Logan to load the bases, a two-RBI double down the left field line put Ohio up 7-1. With two outs, an RBI single from Hoffner gave Ohio the 8-1 lead going into the bottom of the seventh. 
 
Robert Morris looked to rally in the bottom of the seventh, but the Ohio defense sent them down in order, sealing the 8-1 victory. 
 
GAME TWO: Ohio 4, Tennessee Tech 1
Overall, Ohio scored four runs on 10 hits and committed two errors, while Tennessee Tech scored one run on six hits and did not commit an error. 
 
Individually, Paoli went 3-for-4 with a double, two RBI and a run scored, while Westler went 2-for-3 at the plate. Hummel added a hit and a run scored, while Hoffner had a hit and an RBI. Grein recorded a hit and an RBI, while O'Brien and sophomore CiCi Keidel (Hilliard, Ohio) both had hits. Logan and Grein both drew two walks. 
 
In the circle, freshman Keegan Moore (South Point, Ohio) got the start, pitching 4.1 innings, allowing one run on six hits, while walking two and striking out two. Redshirt freshman Skipp Miller (Bradford, Ohio) entered the game, pitching 2.2 innings and did not allow a run or a hit, while walking two and striking out one. 
 
Ohio threatened in the top of the first inning when Logan drew a walk and then moved to second on a Paoli single up the middle. However, Ohio was unable to capitalize, sending the game to the bottom of the frame still scoreless. Tennessee Tech threatened in the bottom of the inning, loading the bases on two hits and an error. However, the Ohio defense was able to hold them off the board keeping the game knotted at zero after one. 
 
Ohio threatened again in the top of the second when Westler and Grein drew walks to put runners on first and second with one out. However, once again, the Ohio offense could not push a run across, sending the game to the bottom of the inning with it still tied at 0-0. 
 
Tennessee Tech took the lead in the bottom of the third inning, scoring one run on three hits to take a 1-0 lead into the fourth inning. The Bobcats responded in the top of the fourth inning. After back-to-back singles from Hoffner and Westler, a sacrifice fly from Grein scored a run, tying the game at 1-1 after four innings. 
 
The Bobcats took its first lead of the game in the top of the fifth inning after Paoli doubled and scored on a sacrifice fly from Hoffner, putting Ohio up 2-1. The Bobcats defense would once again hold Tennessee Tech off the board in the bottom of the inning, sending the game to the sixth with the Bobcats up one. 
 
Ohio added on in the top of the sixth inning. After Grein led the inning off with a single, allowing junior Emily Walker (Plain City, Ohio) to enter the game to run for her. After sophomore Maddie Wilcox (Grove City, Ohio) and Logan drew walks to load the bases, a two-RBI single from Paoli scored Walker and Hummel, giving Ohio a 4-1 lead after six innings. 

Both teams were unable to score in the seventh inning, helping the Bobcats secure the 4-1 win. 
 
UP NEXT
The Bobcats wrap up play at the 2023 Tennessee Tech Tournament on Saturday, March 11. The Bobcats take on Robert Morris at 11 a.m. and Tennessee Tech at 4 p.m. 
 
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