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MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – The Ohio softball team (21-16, 11-4 MAC) returned to action on Saturday, splitting a doubleheader with Central Michigan (16-18 6-5 MAC) at Margo Jonker Stadium. Ohio dropped game one of the doubleheader, 5-0, before picking up the 5-2 victory in the series finale.
 
GAME ONE: CMU 5, Ohio 0
Overall, Ohio did not score a run on six hits and two errors, while CMU scored five runs on eight hits and one error. 
 
Individually, sophomore Emma Hoffner (New Stanton, Pa.) went 3-for-3, while juniors Tori O'Brien (Mason, Ohio) and Yasmine Logan (Pittsburgh, Pa.) and freshman Belle Hummel (Cincinnati, Ohio) all had base hits for the Bobcats.
 
In the circle, graduate student Kylie Coffelt (Beloit, Ohio) got the start, pitching six innings, allowing five runs, three earned, on eight hits, while walking two and striking out four. 
 
After a scoreless first inning, Ohio looked to get on the board in the top of the first, when Hoffner reached on a one-out single. However, the Bobcats were unable to push her home, sending the game of the bottom of the inning still scoreless. The Bobcats threatened again in the top of the third. With two outs, O'Brien and Logan reached on back-to-back singles, however, the CMU defense was once again able to keep them off the board, sending the game to the bottom of the third still tied at 0-0. 
 
CMU got on the board in the bottom of the third, scoring three runs on three hits and one error to take a 3-0 lead into the top of the fourth. Ohio tried to get a run back in the top of the inning with a Hoffner single. However, The Bobcats were once again held off the board. CMU added a run in the bottom of the inning, taking a 4-0 lead to the fifth. 
 
After CMU got another run in the bottom of the fifth, Ohio tried to cut into the Central Michigan lead in the top of the sixth inning. With two outs, the Bobcats loaded the bases when senior Alexis Dawe (Valley Springs, Calif.) reached on an error, Hoffner recorded another hit and junior Sydney Grein (Mokena, Ill.) drew a walk. However, the Bobcats were unable to capitalize on the opportunity, sending the game to the bottom of the inning, trailing 5-0. 
 
The Bobcats were unable to generate any offense in the top of the seventh, falling to CMU, 5-0. 
 
GAME TWO: Ohio 5, CMU 2
Overall, Ohio scored five runs on eight hits and committed one error, while CMU scored two runs on seven hits and committed three errors. 
 
Individually, O'Brien went 2-for-4 with a run scored, while Logan had a homerun, RBI and three runs scored. Dawe added a single and two RBI, while Grein registered one hit. Hummel recorded two hits and a run scored, while freshman Shelby Westler (Marion, Ohio) registered one hit. 
 
In the circle, redshirt freshman Skipp Miller (Bradford Ohio) got the start, pitching seven innings, allowing two runs on seven hits, while walking two and striking out six. 
 
Ohio got on the board in the top of the first inning. O'Brien led the game off with a single, After Logan reached on a fielder's choice, she would then score when Hoffner reached on an error, putting Ohio up 1-0 going into the bottom of the frame. CMU responded in the bottom of the first, scoring two runs on two hits, putting them up 2-1 after one full inning of play.  
 
Ohio looked to knot the game in the top of the second. After Westler reached on a one-out single. She moved to second after Hummel reached on a hit of her own. However, Ohio was unable to capitalize, sending the game to the bottom of the second, with Ohio trailing, 2-1. The Bobcats tied the game up in the top of the third when Logan led the inning off with a solo homerun to left center, tying the game at 2-2. CMU tried to retake the lead in the bottom of the inning, getting a runner on to lead off the inning. However, the Ohio defense was able to strand the runner at first, keeping the score tied at 2-2 going into the fourth. 
 
Ohio retook the lead in the top of the fifth inning. After Hummel, O'Brien and Logan reached on two-straight singles and a fielder's choice, Hummel was able to steal home on a Dawe strikeout, giving Ohio 3-2 lead. CMU looked to tie the game in the bottom of the inning, putting two runners on, however, the Ohio defense was able to strand the runners and send the game to the sixth with the 3-2 lead. 
 
The Bobcats added on in the top of the seventh inning, scoring two runs on a two-RBI single from Dawe putting the Bobcats up 5-2 going into the bottom of the seventh inning. 
 
Central Michigan looked to rally in the bottom of the seventh inning, loading the bases with two outs. However, Miller would get the final batter of the inning to strike out swinging to seal the 5-2 victory. 
 
UP NEXT
Up next, the Bobcats return to Athens April 11-12 when they host Kent State for a midweek series. The Bobcats open the series on Tuesday, April 11 with a game set to begin at 3 p.m. at the Ohio Softball Field, before wrapping up the series with a doubleheader on Wednesday set to begin at 1 p.m. 
 
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