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ATHENS, Ohio – The Ohio softball team (17-14, 8-2 MAC) picked up its seventh-straight win on Saturday (April 1), defeating Ball State (16-14, 6-3 MAC), 13-3 in five innings at the Ohio Softball Field.
Overall, Ohio scored 13 runs on 11 hits and committed one error, Ohio Ball State scored three runs on four hits and committed one error.
Individually, junior
Tori O'Brien (Mason, Ohio) went 3-for-3 with a double and two runs scored, while junior
Yasmine Logan (Pittsburgh, Pa.) went 2-of-3 with a grand slam, two runs scored and six RBI. Junior
Annalia Paoli (Point Marion, Pa.) added two hits, a homerun and two runs scored with one RBI. Sophomore
Emma Hoffner (New Stanton, Pa.) recorded a double, one run scored and three RBI, while freshman
Belle Hummel (Cincinnati, Ohio) added one hit, two runs scored and one RBI. Senior
Alexis Dawe (Valley Springs, Calif.) registered one hit, one walk and scored one run, while junior
Sydney Grein (Mokena, Ill.) added a base hit and a run scored. Freshman
Shelby Westler (Marion, Ohio) scored one run, while sophomore
CiCi Keidel (Hilliard, Ohio) had one RBI and scored one run.
In the circle, redshirt freshman
Skipp Miller (Bradford, Ohio) pitched five innings, allowing three runs on four hits, while walking two and striking out two.
Ball State attempted to get on the board first in the top of the first with a leadoff walk. She then stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch, however the Ohio defense would be able to get the final batter of the inning to pop up to second, sending the game to the bottom of the inning with the game still scoreless.
After Ball State stranded two runners on in the top of the second, the Ohio offense exploded in the bottom of the second. After Dawe led the inning off with a single, she moved to second when Hoffner walked. After Ohio loaded the bases with no outs on a single from Grein, Ohio got its first run on an error that allowed Hoffner to score and Westler reach first. Moments later, a ground out from Keidel allowed another run to score. After O'Brien reached on an infield double, putting runners on second and third, an RBI single from Hummel moments later scored Wester, giving Ohio a 3-0 lead.
The Bobcat were not done, Hummel then scored on an RBI single from Logan, who then moved to third on a single from Paoli. After Dawe drew a walk, a three-RBI triple from Hoffner cleared the bases, putting Ohio up 8-0 going into the third. Overall, Ohio scored eight runs on seven hits and one error.
Ball State got three runs in the top of the third off a three-run homerun with no outs. However, after the homerun, the Ohio defense retired the next three batters, keeping the 8-3 lead going to the bottom of the inning.
Ohio responded immediately in the bottom of the inning thanks to a no-out grand slam from Logan, putting Ohio up 12-3. Paoli followed that up with a solo shot to dead center, putting Ohio up 13-3 after three full innings.
After Miller sent the Cardinals down in order in the top of the fourth, Ohio looked to add on in the bottom of the inning, putting runners on first and third with one out. However, the Bobcats would hit into a double play, ending the inning with Ohio still leading, 13-3.
Ball State looked to extend the game in the top of the fifth, getting a runner on first after two quick outs. However, the Ohio defense was able to get the final out on a ground out, securing the 13-3 win.
Up next, Ohio closes out the series with Ball State on Sunday (April 2) with a doubleheader set to start at Noon.
#OUohyeah
