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ELON, N.C. – The Ohio softball team (2-0) opened the 2025 season on Thursday (Feb. 6) at the 2025 Elon Softball Classic hosted by Elon, picking up two wins on the day. Ohio opened the day with an 8-0 five-inning victory over NC Central (0-1), before using a 10-run seventh inning to give Ohio the come-from-behind, 12-8, victory over Elon (0-1).
 
GAME ONE:  Ohio 8, NC Central 0 (5 Innings)
Overall, Ohio scored eight runs on nine hits and did not commit an error, while NC Central did not score a run on five hits and committed one error. 
 
Individually, sophomore Brenna Farmer (Mt. Blanchard, Ohio) went 2-for-2 with three RBI, while senior Emma Hoffner (New Stanton, Pa.) had a triple and two RBI. Junior Belle Hummel (Cincinnati, Ohio) had one hit and two runs scored, while senior CiCi Keidel (Hilliard, Ohio) added a hit and an RBI for the Bobcats. 
 
In the circle, sophomore Mikie Lieving (New Haven, W. Va.) got the start, pitching five innings, allowing no runs on five hits, walked three and struck out seven. 
 
NC Central threatened in the top of the first inning, reaching on back-to-back single to lead off the game. After loading the bases with one out, back-to-back striking outs from Lieving ended the threat. Ohio then struck in the bottom of the frame. After Hummel led the frame off with an infield single, she would later score on an RBI single from Farmer, putting Ohio up 1-0 after one inning of play. 
 
After NC Central stranded two in the top of the inning, Ohio added on in the bottom of the third. After Hoffner drew a walk and stole second, Farmer drive in her second run of the day with an RBI single, giving the Bobcats a 2-0 lead entering the fourth inning. 
 
After a scoreless fourth from both teams, NC Central threatened in the top of the fifth, putting runners on first and third with two outs. However, once again, Lieving was able to record the strikeout, securing the 2-0 lead. 
 
The Ohio offense came alive in the bottom of the fifth inning, with the Bobcats plating six runs. After Keidel walked to lead off the inning, she later scored when senior Lauren Yuhas (West Mifflin, Pa.) reached on an error. Then moments later, Hoffner crushed a two-RBI triple to center, clearing the bases and giving Ohio the 5-0 lead. 
 
Ohio added on, with a sacrifice flies from Farmer and junior Colleen Bare (Pickerington, Ohio), before an RBI single from Keidel in her second at bat of the inning secured Ohio's 8-0, five inning victory. 
 
GAME TWO: Ohio 12, Elon 8
Overall, Ohio scored 12 runs on eight hits and committed one error, while Elon scored eight runs on eight hits and committed five errors. 
 
Individually, Farmer led the Bobcats going 3-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored, while Hummel added two hits, a run scored and an RBI. Bare added two RBI and a run scored, while senior Maddie Wilcox (Grove City, Ohio) added one hit and two RBI. 
 
In the circle, redshirt junior Skipp Miller (Bradford, Ohio) got the start, pitching 6.1 innings, allowing seven runs on eight hits, while walking four and striking out two. Freshman Anna Wise (Broadview Heights, Ohio) entered the game to record the final two outs, allowing one run. 
 
Ohio threatened in the top of the first inning, with Ohio loading the bases with two outs. However, Ohio was unable to capitalize, sending the game to the bottom of the frame still scoreless. Elon was able to capitalize on their bases loaded situation in the bottom of the inning, taking a 2-0 lead on a two-RBI double. 
 
Ohio cut the deficit in half in the top of the third inning, when Farmer recorded her fourth RBI of the day on an RBI single up the middle the scored Yuhas, cut the Elon lead to 2-1 going into the bottom of the inning. However, Elon get the run back on a solo twooput homerun, sending the game to the fourth with Ohio trailing, 3-1. 
 
The Bobcats got the run back in the top of the fourth. After loading the bases with one out, Lieving entered the game to pinch hit, driving in sophomore Izzie Wilson (Delaware, Ohio) from third with a sacrifice fly to cut the Elon lead to 3-2 going into the bottom of the fourth. However, once again Elon responded with a run in the bottom of the inning to take a 4-2 lead entering the fifth. 
 
After a scoreless fifth and sixth innings from both teams, Ohio looked to rally in the top of the seventh. It didn't take long for the Ohio offense to take advantage of some Elon miscues. After Yuhas led the inning off by reaching on an error, the Bobcats would go on to load the bases with no outs. Then with one out, the Bobcats chipped away before an RBI from junior Shelby Westler (Marion, Ohio) tied the game and a two-RBI single from Wilcox gave the Bobcats a 6-4 lead
 
Ohio was not finished and would add six more runs before the inning was over, including RBI singles from Hoffner and Farmer, and Bare's second RBI of the inning to give the Bobcats the 12-4 lead going into the bottom of the inning. 
 
Elon entered the frame looking to put together a rally as well. After Ohio recorded the first out of the inning, Elon scored on an RBI double and a two-run homerun to cut the Ohio lead to 12-7 with one out. After Elon added another run with two outs, the Bobcats were able to force the final batter to ground out, securing the 12-8 victory. 
 
UP NEXT
Ohio is back in action at the 2025 Elon Softball Classic on Friday, Feb. 7 when Ohio takes on UConn. First pitch is set for 9:30 a.m. 
 
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