FOLLOW OHIO SOFTBALL: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
ATHENS, Ohio – The Ohio Softball team (20-18, 8-6 MAC) wrapped up the three-game series with Northern Illinois (9-23, 3-9 MAC), defeating the Huskies 6-3 at the Ohio Softball Field on Sunday afternoon (April 7), completing the season sweep of NIU.
Overall, Ohio scored six runs on eight hits and committed two errors, while NIU scored three runs on seven hits and committed two errors.
Individually, senior
Sydney Grein (Mokena, Ill.) went 2-for-3 with a double and run scored, while freshman
Izzie Wilson (Delaware, Ohio) had a double and two RBI. Senior
Yasmine Logan (Pittsburgh, Pa.) recorded a hit, RBI and two runs scored, while senior
Tori O'Brien (Mason, Ohio) added one hit and one run scored.
In the circle, junior
Ellie Greene (Attica, Mich.) got the start and earned her first win of the season, pitching a complete game by tossing seven innings, allowing three runs, one earned, on seven hits, while walking three and striking out two.
NIU threatened in the top of the seventh, with the Huskies getting the first two batters on. After they advanced to second and third on a ground out, Greene and the Ohio defense were able to hold the Huskies off the board, sending the game to the bottom of the inning still scoreless.
After keeping NIU off the board in the top of the third, Ohio looked to get on the board in the bottom of the inning with junior
CiCi Keidel (Hilliard, Ohio) reaching on a bunt single. However, Ohio was unable to capitalize, sending the game to the fourth still scoreless.
Ohio struck first in the bottom of the fourth inning. After Logan and sophomore
Shelby Westler (Marion, Ohio) reached on back-to-back singles, they moved into scoring position on a ground out. Moments later, Wilson crushed a double to center, scoring Logan and Westler, putting Ohio up 2-0 entering the fifth.
NIU got a run back in the top of the fifth inning on a one-out home run, cutting the Ohio lead to 2-1 entering the bottom of the fifth.
Ohio responded in the bottom of the fifth inning. With one out, O'Brien singled up the middle and moved to second on a walk. Moments later, O'Brien scored after the NIU right fielder dropped a deep fly ball from Logan. After sophomore
Belle Hummel (Cincinnati, Ohio) scored on a wild pitch, Logan would later steal home, giving Ohio a 5-1 lead entering the sixth.
After NIU stranded two runners in the top of the sixth, the Bobcats added one more run in the bottom of the frame on another NIU error, putting Ohio up, 6-1 entering the seventh inning.
NIU looked to rally in the top of the seventh inning, taking advantage of two Ohio errors in the inning, cutting the Ohio lead to 6-3. However, the Ohio defense was able to get the final out of the inning on a ground out, securing the 6-3 win.
Up next, the Bobcats head to Columbus, Ohio on Wednesday, April 10 to take on Ohio State. First pitch is set for 6 p.m.
#OUohyeah
