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CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – The Ohio softball team (8-4) returned to action on Friday (Feb. 23) for the first day of the 2024 Frost Classic hosted by UT Chattanooga. Ohio swept the opening day of play, defeating UT Martin (4-6), 3-1, in the morning, before wrapping up the afternoon with a 10-2 victory over Georgetown (6-5).
 
GAME ONE: Ohio 3, UT Martin 1
Overall, Ohio scored three runs on seven hits and committed one error, while UT Martin scored one run on three hits and did not commit an error. 
 
Individually, sophomore Shelby Westler (Cincinnati, Ohio) went 2-for-3 with two doubles and two runs scored, while junior CiCi Keidel (Hilliard, Ohio) went 1-for-3 with two RBI. Senior Annalia Paoli (Point Marion, Pa.) added a double, while freshman Brenna Farmer (Mt. Blanchard, Ohio) also registered an RBI and junior Emma Hoffner (New Stanton, Pa.) added a hit and a run scored. 
 
In the circle, freshman Mikie Lieving (New Haven, W. Va.) got the start and the win, pitching 5.0 innings, allowing one run on three hits, while walking two and striking out five. Redshirt sophomore Skipp Miller (Bradford, Ohio) earned the save, pitching 2.0 innings, allowing no runs, no hits, no walks, while striking out three. 
 
UT Martin got on the board first, taking an early lead in the bottom of the first inning on a leadoff homerun, putting UT Martin up 1-0 early. Ohio responded immediately in the top of the second, taking a 2-1 lead after a double from Westler and a two-RBI single from Keidel scored Westler and Hoffner. 
 
UT Martin looked to retake the lead in the bottom of the third inning, with the Skyhawks loading the bases with one out. However, the Lieving was able to get the strikeout and force a ground out to end the inning and hold the Bobcats' lead. 
 
Ohio added on in the top of the fourth inning, with Ohio capitalizing on Westler's second double of the day, scoring on a sacrifice fly from Farmer to increase the Bobcats lead to 3-1. 
 
UT Martin looked to generate more offense in the bottom of the sixth, with the leadoff batter reaching on an error. However, Skipp Miller entered the game and preceded to retire the next six Skyhawk batters, helping secure the 3-1 victory. 
 
GAME TWO: Ohio 10, Georgetown 2
Overall, Ohio scored 10 runs on 16 hits and committed one error, while Georgetown scored two runs on seven hits and committed two errors. 
 
Individually, senior Tori O'Brien (Mason, Ohio) led the Bobcats, going 4-for-4 with a double, run scored and three RBI. Hoffner added three hits, a double and two runs scored, while Farmer went 3-for-4 with a double, three RBI and two runs scored. Keidel also continued her strong day, going 3-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored. 

In the circle, sophomore Keegan Moore (South Point, Ohio) got the start, pitching five innings, allowing one unearned run on four hits, while walking one and striking out four. Skipp Miller entered the game in the sixth inning, pitching two innings and allowed one run on three hits, walked one and struck out two. 
 
After an uneventful first two innings, Georgetown struck first, taking a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third on after scoring on an Ohio defensive error. 
 
Ohio responded in the top of the fourth inning. After Hoffner and sophomore Austy Miller (Bradford, Ohio) scored on a two-RBI double from Farmer, Westler then scored on an RBI single from Keidel, giving Ohio the 301 lead. The Bobcats continued to add on in the inning, scoring three more runs on a two-RBI double from O'Brien and an RBI single from Paoli, increasing the Ohio lead to 6-1 entering the bottom of the fourth inning. 
 
After a scoreless bottom of the frame from Georgetown, Ohio looked to add on in the top of the fifth, however were unable to capitalize on Hoffner's leadoff double, sending the game to the bottom of the fifth still leading 6-1. Georgetown got a run back in the bottom of the sixth inning on an RBI double to right center, cutting the Ohio lead to 6-2 going into the top of the seventh inning. 
 
Ohio took advantage of some Georgetown miscues in the top of the seventh inning, scoring four runs on four hits and two errors to help take a 10-2 lead. The inning was highlighted by three-straight singles from Farmer, O'Brien and Keidel, helping increase the Ohio lead entering the final frame. 
 
Georgetown was unable to generate any offense in the bottom of the seventh, with Skipp Miller closing out the game to secure the 10-2 victory. 
 
UP NEXT
The Bobcats return to action in the 2024 Frost Classic on Saturday, Feb. 24 when Ohio take on Texas A&M Corpus Christi at 10 a.m., before closing out the day at 3 p.m. against host UT Chattanooga. 
 
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