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ATHENS, Ohio – The Ohio softball team (19-18, 7-6 MAC) returned to action on Saturday afternoon (April 6), sweeping Northern Illinois (9-22, 3-8 MAC) in a doubleheader at the Ohio Softball Field. The Bobcats took game one, 11-6, before securing the 4-2 win in game two. 
 
GAME ONE: Ohio 11, Northern Illinois 6
Overall, Ohio scored 11 runs on 11 hits and committed four errors, while Northern Illinois scored six runs on eight hits and committed five errors. 
 
Individually, senior Tori O'Brien (Mason, Ohio) went 3-for-5 with a double and RBI, freshman Brenna Farmer (Mt. Blanchard, Ohio) added two hits, two RBI and a run scored, while freshman Izzie Wilson (Delaware, Ohio) hit a home run, drove in three runs, and scored one run. Senior Sydney Grein (Mokena, Ill.) had one hit, scored two runs, and drew two walks, while junior CiCi Keidel (Hilliard, Ohio) added one hit, drew a walk, and scored three runs. 
 
In the circle, redshirt sophomore Skipp Miller (Bradford, Ohio) got the start and the win, pitching five innings, allowing six runs, three earned, walked three and struck out three. Freshman Mikie Lieving (New Haven, W. Va.) entered the game in the top of the sixth, pitching two innings and did not allow a run on one hit and struck out two. 
 
NIU struck first in the top of the first inning on a one-out two-run home run, giving the Huskies an early 2-0 lead entering the bottom of the first. The Bobcats responded in the bottom of the first, scoring three runs on two hits and one error, taking a 3-2 lead. After NIU went down in order in the top of the second, the Bobcats added one more run in the bottom of the inning, scoring on an RBI double from O'Brien, taking a 4-2 lead into the third inning. 
 
NIU went on to tie the game in the top of the third, taking advantage of cutch baserunning, knotting the game at 4-4 going into the bottom of the inning. The Bobcats would go on to retake the lead in the bottom of the inning, with Grein scoring on an RBI single from Farmer. However, NIU went on to retake the lead in the top of the fourth on Caitlyn Shumaker's second two-run home run of the game, giving the Huskies a 6-5 lead going into the bottom of the fourth. 
 
The Bobcats retook the lead in the bottom of the fifth inning. After Grein reached on a leadoff single, Wilson crushed a two-run home run to left field, giving Ohio a one-run lead. Ohio added on later in the inning, scoring on a fielder's choice from senior Yasmine Logan (Pittsburgh, Pa.), giving Ohio an 8-6 lead going into the sixth inning. 
 
N IU threatened in the top of the sixth inning. With runners on first and second with no outs, Lieving was able to get a strikeout and force the Huskies into a popup double play to end the inning and keep the Bobcats ahead, 8-6.
 
The Bobcats would add on in the bottom of the sixth inning, scoring three runs on one hit and one error, including an RBI single from Farmer, giving the Bobcats an 11-6 lead entering the seventh inning. 
 
NIU entered the top of the inning looking to rally, however, Lieving and the Ohio defense sent the Huskies down in order, securing the 11-6 win. 
 
GAME TWO: Ohio 4, Northern Illinois 2
Overall, Ohio scored four runs on nine hits and committed one error, while NIU scored two runs on nine hits and did not commit an error. 
 
Junior Emma Hoffner (New Stanton, Ohio) went 3-for-3 with a home run, double, four RBI and one run scored, while Logan went 2-for-3. Farmer added a double and two runs scored, while Grein added a triple and a run scored. O'Brien and sophomore Shelby Westler (Marion, Ohio) both had hits for the Bobcats. 
 
In the circle, Lieving picked up where she left off in game one, pitching seven innings, allowing two runs on nine hits, while walking one and striking out one. 
 
NIU took the lead in the top of the second inning, scoring on an RBI single to take an early 1-0 lead. The Bobcats responded in the bottom of the frame. After Grein tripled with one out, a two-run home run to dead center from Hoffner put the Bobcats up 2-1 entering the third inning. 
 
NIU tied the game up in the top of the third inning, with two outs and runners on second and third, the Huskies scored on an RBI single to center, however, Logan threw out the runner from second attempting to score, ending the inning with the game tied at 2-2. 
 
Ohio retook the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning on an RBI double from Hoffner, putting the Bobcats up, 3-2 going into the fifth inning. After a scoreless fifth and top of the sixth from both teams, Ohio added on in the bottom of the seventh, with Farmer scoring on an RBI single from Hoffner, putting the Bobcats up 4-2 going into the top of the seventh inning. 
 
NIU looked to rally in the top of the seventh inning. With two outs, the Huskies got runners on first second. However, the Ohio defense was able to force the final batter to ground into a force out, ending the game and securing Ohio's 4-2 win. 
 
UP NEXT
Ohio and NIU wrap up the three-game series on Sunday, April 7. First pitch is set for Noon ET at the Ohio Softball Field. 
 
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