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ATHENS, Ohio – The Ohio softball team (26-19, 16-7 MAC) returned to action Wednesday afternoon (April 26), splitting a doubleheader against Toledo (19-24, 12-13 MAC). Ohio dropped game one of the, 11-3, before picking up the 10-9 victory in the series finale. The Bobcats won the overall series, 2-1.
GAME ONE: Toledo 11, Ohio 3
Overall, Ohio scored three runs on six hits, while Toledo scored 11 runs on 14 hits and committed three errors.
Individually, the Bobcats were led by junior Annalia Paoli (Point Marion, Pa.) with two RBI and a home run, while sophomore Emma Hoffner (New Stanton, Pa.) also recorded an RBI and drew a walk. Additionally, junior Yasmine Logan (Pittsburgh, Pa.) and junior Sydney Grein (Mokena, Ill.) recorded one double each.
In the circle, graduate student Kylie Coffelt (Beloit, Ohio) got the start, pitching 4.2 innings, allowing eight hits while walking two and striking out one. Freshman Keegan Moore (South Point, Ohio) pitched 2.2 innings, allowing four runs on six hits, walking none and striking out two.
Toledo struck first in the top of the first inning, loading the bases with two outs. Moments later, a three-RBI triple put the Rockets up 3-0 going to the bottom of the first.
The Bobcats responded quickly at the bottom of the frame with Logan hitting a double down the right field line and senior
Alexis Dawe (Valley Springs, Calif.) reaching first on an error, allowing Logan to advance to third. Logan scored on a sacrifice fly from Hoffner, putting the Bobcats on the board. With two outs and Grein on second after another double, Paoli crushed a two-run home run to left field, tying the game at 3-3 going into the second inning.
After a scoreless second inning from both Toledo and Ohio, Toledo retook the lead, scoring two runs off of four hits at the top of the third inning, putting the Rockets up 5-3 going into the fourth inning. Ohio attempted to get on the board at the bottom of the fourth, putting runners on first and second base with only one out. However, the Toledo defense was able to hold Ohio at a two-run deficit going into the fifth inning.
Toledo extended their lead in the fifth and sixth innings, scoring a combined four runs giving the Rockets a six-run lead going into the final inning of the game. At the top of the seventh, the Rockets gained an additional two runs off of three hits.
Unable to score again, the Bobcats fell to the Rockets 11-3.
GAME TWO: Ohio 10, Toledo 9 (Nine Innings)
Overall, Ohio scored 10 runs on 16 hits, while Toledo scored nine runs on 15 hits.
Paoli continued her strong day at the plate with her second home run and recorded four RBI for the Bobcats. Freshman Shelby Westler (Marion, Ohio) also recorded four RBI, including the game-winning RBI double, while Grein and sophomore CiCi Keidel (Hilliard, Ohio) picked up one RBI each. Additionally, freshman Belle Hummel (Cincinnati, Ohio) added three base hits for the Bobcats.
From the circle, redshirt freshman Skipp Miller (Bradford, Ohio) got the start, pitching 5.1 innings, allowing nine runs, five earned, on 11 hits, while walking two and striking out three. Coffelt pitched 3.2 innings, allowing zero runs, walking one, and four hits.
Toledo struck first in the top of the first inning, scoring three runs on three hits, giving them an early 3-0 lead. Ohio responded at the bottom of the frame with a single and a stolen base from Logan and Hoffner drawing a walk. With runners on first and second, Paoli crushed a three-run home run into left field, recording her second home run of the day and tying the game 3-3 going into the second inning.
Toledo took a 6-3 lead at the top of the second inning, scoring an additional three runs off four hits. Ohio attempted to get on the board at the bottom of the frame with Keidel drawing a walk and junior
Tori O'Brien (Mason, Ohio) singling to short. With runners on base and two outs, the Bobcats were looking to score. Unable to capitalize, the Bobcatsentered the third inning, trailing 6-3.
After a scoreless third inning from the Rockets, the Bobcats were looking to have another opportunity to score at the bottom of the frame. After a single from Dawe, junior
Emily Walker (Plain City, Ohio) entered to pinch run. With Paoli drawing a walk and advancing Walker to second, Grein hit a double into right field, driving Walker in for a run and advancing Paoli to third. With runners on second and third, Westler hit another double into center field allowing for both Paoli and Grein to score, tying the game 6-6 going into the fourth inning.
Toledo gained a three-run lead at the top of the sixth inning,taking a 9-6 lead going into the seventh inning.
After a scoreless seventh inning from the Rockets, the Bobcats went back to work. Dawe kicked things off with a single, advancing to third on two wild pitches. Next, Hoffner drew a walk and sophomore
Lauren Yuhas (West Mifflin, Pa) entered to pinch run for her. Paoli's strong offensive performance continued, cutting the deficit to two runs. Westler's sacrifice fly allowed for Yuhas to score and Paoli tied the game with and RBI single from Keidel. A wild pitch allowed for Keidel to advance to second, putting her in scoring position for O'Brien. Moments later, O'Brien singled to shortstop, beating out the throw, but Keidel was caught at home, sending the game into the eighth inning tied at 9-9.
Coffelt only faced three batters at the top of the eighth, shutting down Toledo's offense. Hummel led off the bottom of the inning with an infield single, advancing on a sacrifice bunt from Logan, but was stranded after two fly outs. Toledo's leadoff batter reached on an error, advancing to third on a sacrifice bunt and passed ball. However, Coffelt drew a ground out to end the inning, preventing the Rockets from scoring again.
Paoli opened the bottom of the ninth with a walk, reaching second when Grein singled to third base. The next at bat, Westler's walk off double drove in Paoli, securing Ohio's 10-9 victory.
UP NEXT
Up next, the Bobcats will travel to Kalamazoo, Mich. to play the Western Michigan Broncos April 29-30 for a three game series. The two teams begin the series with a double header on Saturday, first pitch is set for 1 p.m. EST.
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