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CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Ohio Softball (9-5) returned to action today (Feb. 24) for the second day of the Frost Classic. The Bobcats split their two games on the day, falling in the opener to Texas A&M Corpus Christi but taking down the hosts, UT-Chattanooga in the afternoon game.
GAME ONE: Texas A&M Corpus Christi 5 - Ohio 3
After taking both of the games on the opening day of the Frost Classic, Ohio looked to open the weekend with their eighth consecutive win. Ultimately, the winning streak would be stopped at seven games with the Islanders using two runs in the sixth inning to take down the Bobcats.
At the plate, Ohio was led by a two-hit performance from sophomore Shelby Westler (Marion, Ohio) who added the game-tying RBI in the fourth inning. Freshman Izzie Wilson (Delaware, Ohio) had two RBI of her own, also coming in the fourth with a two-run single. As a team, Ohio had six hits in the game.
In the circle, freshman Mikie Lieving (New Haven, W. Va.) made the start going two innings. The freshman allowed three runs on four hits while striking out two. Sophomore Keegan Moore (South Point, Ohio) entered in relief for Lieving. Moore pitched four innings, allowing two runs on four hits while striking out a career-high five batters.
The Islanders opened the scoring in the second inning, picking up three runs by way of a sacrifice fly and two-run double into left center. Ohio would tie the game at three apiece in the fourth, with a two-run single from Wilson followed by a single by Westler.
While the Bobcats were unable to add more runs to the board, the Islanders added two in the sixth. Scoring a run on an error and another from a single into left field, Ohio fell behind 5-3. Ohio was unable to answer, dropping their first game of the weekend.
GAME TWO: Ohio 7 - UT-Chattanooga 0
The Bobcats looked to bounce back after their earlier loss on the day with a matchup against UT-Chattanooga, the hosts of the Frost Classic. The Bobcats were able to get back into the win column, taking down the Mocs 7-0. Ohio scored their seven runs on 12 hits and had zero errors. On the other hand, Chattanooga was unable to score a run on their five hits while adding two errors.
Individually, senior Tori O'Brien (Mason, Ohio) and Izzie Wilson led the way both recording three-hit performances. O'Brien was 3-for-5 with one RBI while Wilson was 3-for-4 with an RBI. Six other Bobcats recorded hits including junior Emma Hoffner (New Stanton, Pa.) who was 1-for-2 with two walks and a double and Shelby Westler who added an RBI. The Bobcats scored four runs from the Mocs' errors.
Redshirt sophomore Skipp Miller had a masterful performance in the circle. Miller pitched seven scoreless innings, allowing five hits while striking out four. The outing gave Miller her sixth complete game of the year and helped lower her ERA to just 2.40 on the season.
Ohio opened the scoring in the second inning, putting four runs on the board. The first two runs came by way of an error from the Mocs at third base. O'Brien added the third run and had the first RBI for Ohio, scoring junior CiCi Keidel (Hilliard, Ohio) with a single into left field. Westler got back into the action, adding her third RBI of the day with a single through the left side that scored O'Brien.
The Bobcats offense came back in the sixth inning, adding three more to their total. O'Brien scored the Bobcats' fifth run of the game on a wild pitch. Wilson added the sixth with a single into right and Hoffner scored the Bobcats' final run on a fielder's choice. Miller closed the game out in the bottom half of the inning to secure the shutout and help Ohio improve to 9-5 on the year.
Ohio will return to action tomorrow (Feb. 25) for their final game of the Frost Classic against Valparaiso. First pitch is scheduled for 10 a.m.
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