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OXFORD, Ohio – Led by a dominating performance in the circle by redshirt freshman Skipp Miller, the second-seeded Ohio softball team (31-21) opened the 2023 Mid-American Conference Tournament on Thursday afternoon (May 11), defeating No. 3 Central Michigan (28-25), 2-0, at the Miami Softball Stadium. 
 
Overall, Ohio scored two runs on four hits and committed one error, while CMU did not score a run on two hits and committed two errors. 
 
Individually, freshman Shelby Westler (Marion, Ohio) led the Bobcats, going 2-for-3 with a double and two RBI. Senior Alexis Dawe (Valley Springs, Calif.) and junior Tori O'Brien (Mason, Ohio) both had hits for the Bobcats. Juniors Yasmine Logan (Pittsburgh, Pa.) and Annalia Paoli (Point Marion, Pa.) scored the Bobcats' two runs. 
 
In the circle, Miller (Bradford, Ohio) was dominate, pitching seven scoreless shutout innings, while walking three and striking out 10. 
 
CMU got the first base runners of the game in the top of the second inning, due to a walk and an error, however, the Bobcats' defense was able to get out of it, sending the game to the bottom of the inning still scoreless. 
 
Ohio got its first baserunner of the game in the bottom of the second after sophomore Emma Hoffner (New Stanton, Pa.) reached after she was hit by a pitch, however, Ohio was unable to capitalize, sending the game to the third still scoreless. 
 
After CMU stranded two runners in the top of the third, Ohio threatened again in the bottom of the inning. With one out, O'Brien reached on a single and then advanced to second when freshman Belle Hummel (Cincinnati, Ohio) reached on an error by the CMU defense. However, despite the Bobcats hitting the ball hard, Ohio was unable to capitalize, sending the game to the fourth still tied at 0-0. 
 
Ohio threatened again in the bottom of the fifth inning. After Westler led off with a double off the centerfield wall. She then moved up on a sacrifice bunt from sophomore CiCi Keidel (Hilliard, Ohio), putting her on third with one out. However, the CMU defense was able to get the final two batters, stranding Westler at third, keeping the game scoreless going into the sixth. 
 
CMU had their best chance of the game in the top of the sixth inning, putting runners on first and second with two walks. However, Miller was able to get the next two batters of the game to strike out, sending the game to the bottom of the frame still tied at 0-0. 
 
Ohio finally struck in the bottom of the sixth inning. Logan led the inning off by reaching on an error. Moments later, Paoli reached first when she was hit by a pitch, setting up a single from Dawe to load the bases. Then with two outs, Westler singled through the right side, scoring Logan and Paoli, putting Ohio up 2-0 going into the top of the seventh inning. 
 
In the top of the seventh, Miller and the Ohio defense sent CMU down in order, securing the 2-0 victory for Ohio. 
 
Up next, the Bobcats will play the winner of No. 1 Miami/No. 4 Ball State on Friday, May 12. First pitch is set for 2:30 p.m. at the Miami Softball Stadium and will be seen on ESPN+. 
 
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