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OXFORD, Ohio – The second-seeded Ohio softball team (31-22) returned to action Thursday afternoon (May 12) in the winners' bracket of the 2023 Mid-American Conference Tournament, falling to No. 1 Miami (36-18), 8-4, at the Miami Softball Stadium. 
 
Overall, Ohio scored four runs on 11 hits and committed three errors, while Miami scored eight runs on 12 hits and did not commit an error. 
 
Individually, the Bobcats were led by junior Annalia Paoli (Point Marion, Pa.) who went 4-for-4 with a home run, double, RBI and a run scored. Junior Yasmine Logan (Pittsburgh, Pa.) added a home run, RBI and run scored. Sophomore Emma Hoffner (New Stanton, Pa.) went 3-for-4 with a double and a run scored, while junior Sydney Grein (Mokena, Ill.) had a hit and an RBI, as did freshman Shelby Westler (Marion, Ohio). Sophomore CiCi Keidel (Hilliard, Ohio) also had a hit for the Bobcats. 
 
In the circle, redshirt freshman Skipp Miller (Bradford, Ohio) got the start, pitching four innings, allowing five runs, two earned, on nine hits, while walking one and striking out three. Graduate student Kylie Coffelt (Beloit, Ohio) entered the game in the fifth inning, pitching two innings, allowing three runs on three hits, while walking one and striking out two. 
 
The Bobcats got on the bases first in the top of the first inning when Paoli reached on a two-out double down the leftfield line. However, Ohio was unable to score, sending the game to the bottom of the frame still scoreless. Miami struck in the bottom of the inning, taking a 4-0 lead on a one-out three-run home run, followed by a two out RBI single, giving Miami a 4-0 lead after one. 
 
Ohio looked to get a run back in the top of the second inning when Grein reached on a one-out single, then advancing to second on a groundout. However, once again, the Miami defense was able to work their way out of the jam, going of the bottom of the second leading 4-0. 
 
Ohio threatened to get on the board in the top of the fourth inning. Paoli led off with a single and then moved to second when Hoffner reached on a hit up the middle. However, the Ohio offense was unable to push the runs home, sending the game to the bottom of the inning still trailing 4-0. Miami added another run in the bottom of the inning on a throwing error, taking a 5-0 lead to the fifth. 
 
The Bobcats got on the board in the top of the sixth inning. After Logan led off the inning with a solo homerun, Paoli and Hoffner reached on back-to-back singles, putting runners on first and second with no outs. After the runners advanced on a ground out, Paoli scored on a ground out, putting the Bobcats' second run on the board. Moments later, Westler reached on an infield single, scoring Hoffner. After Keidel reached on an infield single, putting two runners on with two outs, the Miami defense was able to get the final batter to strikeout, sending the game to the bottom of the sixth with Ohio trailing, 5-3. 
 
Miami added three runs in the bottom of the sixth on an RBI double and a home run, taking an 8-3 lead going into the top of the seventh. 
 
The Bobcats looked to rally in the top of the seventh. With two outs, Paoli hit a solo home run to left field, cutting the Ohio deficit to 8-4. Ohio tried to add on after Hoffner reached on a double, however Ohio was unable to chip away, falling 8-4. 
 
Up next, the Bobcats move to an elimination game this evening (May 12), taking on No. 3 Central Michigan. First pitch is set for around 6 p.m. 
 
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