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MUNCIE, Ind. – The Ohio softball team (13-14, 1-2 MAC) returned to action on Sunday afternoon (March 17), bouncing back to defeat Ball State (15-14, 2-1 MAC), 7-0, for its first Mid-American Conference win of the season. 
 
Overall, Ohio scored seven runs on 12 hits and committed two errors, while Ball State did not score a run on five hits and did not commit an error. 
 
In the circle, redshirt sophomore Skipp Miller (Bradford, Ohio) got the start, pitching seven innings, allowing no runs on five hits, walked three and struck out two. 
 
Individually, sophomore Shelby Westler (Marion, Ohio) went 3-for-4 with one homerun, three RBI and one run scored, while senior Yasmine Logan (Pittsburgh, Pa.) went 2-for-3 with a double, two RBI and two runs scored. Senior Tori O'Brien (Mason, Ohio) added two hits and a run scored, while juniors Lauren Yuhas (West Mifflin, Pa.) and Emma Hoffner (New Stanton, Pa.) both added a double, RBI and a run scored. 
 
Ohio got on the board in the top of the first inning. With two outs, Logan walked and scored on an RBI double from Hoffner, which allowed Westler to drive her home with an RBI single, giving the Bobcats an early 2-0 lead. 
 
Ball State looked to get on the board in the bottom of the fifth inning, starting with a leadoff pinch hit single. However, the Bobcats were able to record a pickoff and force a ground out to end the inning and hold on to the 2-0 lead. Entering the sixth inning. 
 
The Bobcats added on in the top of the sixth. After Logan led the inning off with a double down the leftfield line, Wester hit a two-run homerun down the rightfield line, putting Ohio up 4-0 going into the bottom of the sixth. 
 
Ball State once again looked to get on the board in the bottom of the sixth inning. However, after getting the leadoff batter on base, The Ohio defense turned a double play on a flyout, helping secure the 4-0 lead. 
 
Ohio added on in the top of the seventh. With one out, junior CiCi Keidel (Hilliard, Ohio) reached on a single and then moved to second when O'Brien reached on a bunt single. Moments later, Yuhas doubled to left center, scoring one run, setting up a 2-RBI single from Logan to give Ohio the 7-0 lead with just one out in the frame. With two outs, Westler singled to put runners on second and third, however, the Cardinals were able to get out of the jam, sending the game to the bottom of the seventh with Ohio leading 7-0. 
 
Ball State looked to get on the board in the bottom of the inning, however the Ohio defense was able to hold steady, securing the 7-0 win.
 
Up next, the Bobcats head to Oxford, Ohio March 22-23 to take on Miami. First pitch on Friday is set for 5 p.m. at the Miami Softball Stadium, while Saturday's doubleheader is set to start at 1 p.m. 
 
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