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KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Ohio softball team (29-19, 19-7 MAC) returned to action on Sunday (April 30), concluding the three-game series with Western Michigan (16-26, 10-13 MAC). The Bobcats took the first game of the day, which was picked up in the bottom of the second inning after yesterday's postponement, defeating the Broncos, 13-11 in 10 innings. Ohio then wrapped up the day, taking the final game of the series, 5-1. 
 
GAME ONE (Resumed from 4/29): Ohio 13- WMU 11 (10 innings)
Overall, Ohio scored 13 runs on 12 hits and committed four errors, while WMU scored 11 runs on 19 hits and committed two errors. 
 
Individually, senior Alexis Dawe (Valley Springs, Calif.) went 2-for-4 with two walks and one run scored, while junior Yasmine Logan (Pittsburgh, Pa.) went 3-for-4 with two walks, home run, two runs scored and one RBI. Junior Annalia Paoli (Point Marion, Pa.) added two hits, a home run, two RBI and two runs scored, while freshman Shelby Westler (Marion, Ohio) added one hit, a double, two RBI and one run scored. Sophomore CiCi Keidel (Hilliard, Ohio) added two hits, two RBI and one run scored, while freshman Belle Hummel (Cincinnati, Ohio) had one hit, drew four walks and scored two runs. 
 
In the circle, graduate student Kylie Coffelt (Beloit, Ohio) got the start, pitching 3.0 innings, allowing three runs, three earned, on seven hits, while walking two and striking out one. Freshman Keegan Moore (South Point, Ohio) pitched 4.0 innings, allowing eight runs, five earned on nine hits, while walking and striking out one. Redshirt freshman Skipp Miller (Bradford, Ohio) entered the game in the ninth inning, pitching three innings, allowing no runs on three hits and striking out three. 
 
The game resumed with two outs in the bottom of the second and the Bobcats leading 1-0. Moments later, the Broncos loaded the bases. However, Ohio was able to keep WMU off the board, forcing a ground out to end the inning. 
 
Ohio added on in the top of the third when Logan and Paoli both hit solo home runs, putting Ohio up 3-0 going into the bottom of the third inning. The Broncos got on the board in the bottom of the frame, scoring two runs on three hits, cutting the Ohio lead to 3-2 going into the fourth inning. 
 
The Broncos jumped out to a four-run lead in the bottom of the fourth, scoring five runs on four hits and two errors, taking a 7-3 lead into the fifth inning. 
 
The Bobcats responded immediately with five runs of their own in the top of the fifth inning. With one out, Hummel and Logan drew walks and then moved up a base on a ground out. Dawe then reached on a single to load the bases, setting up an RBI single for Paoli. After sophomore Emma Hoffner (New Stanton, Pa.) reached on an error to cut the deficit to two, junior Sydney Grein (Mokena, Ill.) drew a bases loaded walk, which was followed by back-to-back RBI singles from Westler and Keidel, putting Ohio up 8-7 going into the bottom of the inning. 
 
WMU tied the game in the bottom of the fifth, capitalizing on a lead-off triple, knotting the game at 8-8 going into the sixth. 
 
Ohio retook the lead in the top of the seventh inning. With one out, Grein drew a walk and then scored on an RBI double from Westler. After Keidel drew a walk, Westler scored on a two-out RBI double from Hummel, setting up Keidel scoring on a passed ball, giving Ohio a 11-8 lead going into the bottom of the inning. 
 
WMU tied the game up in the bottom of the seventh on a three-run homerun, knotting the game at 11-11 and sending the game into extra innings. 
 
After a scoreless eighth, Ohio threatened in the top of the ninth, loading the bases when Hummel and Dawe drew a walk and Logan singled. However, Ohio was unable to capitalize. WMU threatened in the bottom of the frame, putting runners on first and third with two outs. However, Skipp Miller was able to get the final batter to strike out, sending the game to the 10^th still tied at 11-11. 
 
The Bobcats took the lead for good in the top of the 10^th inning. After Hoffner walked to lead off the inning and freshman Austy Miller (Bradford, Ohio) singled, putting runners on second and third with one out. Hoffner then scored on an RBI single from Keidel, which allowed Miller to score on a ground out by junior Tori O'Brien (Mason, Ohio), giving Ohio a 13-11 lead going into the bottom of the inning. 
 
WMU looked to rally again in the bottom of the inning getting the leadoff batter on base. However, the Ohio defense held steady, retiring the next three batters, securing the 13-11 victory. 
 
GAME TWO: Ohio 5, WMU 1
Overall, Ohio scored five runs on six hits and no errors, while WMU scored one run on five hits and no errors. 
 
Individually, Logan went 3-for-4 with one home run, four RBI and one run scored, while Hummel went 2-for-2 with a double and three runs scored. O'Brien added one hit for the Bobcats and scored one run, while Keidel and Hummel drew walks. 
 
In the circle, Skipp Miller returned, pitching seven innings, allowing one run, on five hits, while walking one and striking out a career-high eight batters. 
 
The Bobcats struck first in the top of the first inning. After Hummel led off with a single and Logan doubled to put runners in scoring position, Paoli recorded a sacrifice fly, putting Ohio up 1-0. WMU tied the game in the bottom of the inning when the Broncos hit a one-out home run to tie the game at 1-1 after one full frame. 
 
After a scoreless second, Ohio took the lead in the top of the third on an RBI single from Logan, putting the Bobcats up 2-1 after three innings. After a scoreless fourth, Logan continued her hot day at the plate, hitting a three-run home run to left field, putting the Bobcats up 5-1 after five full innings of play. 
 
After a scoreless sixth and top of the seventh, the Broncos looked to rally, however that Bobcats were able to retire the WMU batters in order, securing the 5-1 victory. 
 
UP NEXT
The Bobcats return to Athens May 6-7 to conclude the 2023 regular season when they host Buffalo. The Bobcats and Bulls will play a doubleheader on Saturday starting at 1 p.m., before concluding the series on Sunday at noon. Sunday will serve as Senior Day for the Bobcats. 
 
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