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OXFORD, Ohio – The Ohio softball team (32-22) continued play in the 2023 Mid-American Conference Tournament, defeating No. 3 Central Michigan (29-26), 7-2, in an elimination game inside the Miami Softball Stadium. The win advances the Bobcats to the MAC Tournament Championship series Saturday afternoon.
Overall, Ohio scored seven runs on 11 hits and did not commit an error, while Central Michigan scored two runs on seven hits and committed one error.
Individually, sophomore
Emma Hoffner (New Stanton, Pa.) went 2-for-4 with a triple, three RBI and two runs scored, while freshman
Belle Hummel (Cincinnati, Ohio) went 2-for-4 with two runs scored. Junior
Yasmine Logan (Pittsburgh, Pa.) added two hits and two walks, while junior
Annalia Paoli (Point Marion, Pa.) added a hit, RBI and a run scored. Freshman
Shelby Westler (Marion, Ohio) also added a hit and RBI for Ohio.
In the circle, redshirt freshman
Skipp Miller (Bradford, Ohio) got the start, pitching seven innings, allowing two runs on seven hits, while walking seven and striking out five.
Central Michigan threatened in the top of the first inning, loading the bases with no outs. However, Miller and the Ohio defense were able to get the next three batters out on popups, sending the game to the bottom of the inning scoreless.
Ohio struck in the bottom of the inning. After Hummel reached on a leadoff single, Logan drew a walk. After Hummel advanced to third on a flyout, an RBI single from Hoffner put Ohio up 1-0 going into the second inning.
CMU tried to get the run back in the top of the second inning, putting runners on second and third with two outs, but once again, the Ohio defense was able to work their way out of the jam, sending the game to the bottom of the inning still leading, 1-0. However, CMU took the lead in the top of the third inning, taking a 2-1 lead on a two-run homerun.
Ohio tied the game in the bottom of the third. After Logan reached first on a leadoff single, Hoffner reached moments later a fielder's choice. Then with two outs, an RBI single from Westler knotted the game at 2-2 going into the fourth inning. After CMU stranded a runner at third in the top of the fourth, Ohio looked to retake the lead in the bottom of the inning. After sophomore
Lauren Yuhas (West Mifflin, Pa.) reached on a single up the middle, she moved to second when Logan drew a walk. However, CMU was able to get the final batter of the inning to strikeout, sending the game to the fifth still tied at 2-2.
CMU looked to take the lead in the top of the fifth inning, putting runners on first and second with two outs. Then with a full count, Miller was able to get the final batter of the inning to strikeout swinging, sending the game to the bottom of the inning with the game still tied at 2-2.
Ohio took the lead in the bottom of the fifth inning. With one out, senior
Alexis Dawe (Valley Springs, Calif.) drew a walk, allowing junior
Tori O'Brien (Mason, Ohio) to enter to run for her. Then with two outs, junior
Sydney Grein (Mokena, Ill.) singled up the middle, putting runners on first and second. Sophomore
CiCi Keidel (Hilliard, Ohio) then singled, allowing O'Brien to get in a run down, ultimately scoring when the CMU catcher was called for obstruction, putting Ohio up 3-2 going into the sixth inning.
The Bobcats' bats came alive in the bottom of the sixth inning. Hummel led the inning off with a single and moved to second on a single from Logan. Moments later, and RBI single from Paoli gave the Bobcats a 4-2 lead. Next, Hoffner crushed a triple to the centerfield wall, clearing the bases and giving Ohio a 6-2 lead with no outs and a runner on third. Ohio added on more run in the inning when pinch runner
Maddie Wilcox (Grove City, Ohio) scored on a sacrifice fly, giving Ohio a 7-2 lead going into the top of the seventh inning.
CMU looked to rally in the top of the seventh inning getting two runners on with walks. However, Miller and the Ohio defense were able to get the final batter of the game to fly out, securing Ohio's 7-2 victory.
Up next, the Bobcats advance to the 2023 MAC Tournament Championship series on Saturday, May 13 against No. 1 Miami. First pitch is set for 3 p.m. at the Miami Softball Stadium.
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