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ATHENS, Ohio – The Ohio softball team (19-8, 2-0 MAC) opened Mid-American Conference play at home Friday afternoon (March 21), sweeping Buffalo (5-19, 2-3 MAC) in a doubleheader at the Ohio Softball Field. The Bobcats took game one, 8-0 in five innings, before defeating the Bulls, 10-0, in five innings in game two. 

GAME ONE: Ohio 8, Buffalo 0 (5 Innings)
Overall, Ohio scored eight runs on nine hits and did not commit an error, while Buffalo did not score a run on three hits and did not commit an error. 

Individually, senior CiCi Keidel (Hilliard, Ohio) went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored, while senior Maddie Wilcox (Grove City, Ohio) recorded a double, with two RBI and a run scored. Senior Emma Hoffner (New Stanton, Pa.) had one hit, one RBI and one run scored, while junior Shelby Westler (Marion, Ohio) recorded one double, one RBI and on run scored. Freshman Sydney Young (Charleston, W. Va) had one double, an RBI and a run scored, while junior Belle Hummel (Cincinnati, Ohio) had a hit, RBI and run scored and freshman Abby Kennelly (Waterville, Ohio) also had a hit and a run scored. 

In the circle, freshman Anna Wise (Broadview Heights, Ohio) pitched five innings and did not allow a run on three hits, did not walk a batter and struck out three. 

After a scoreless top of the first, Ohio struck in the bottom of the inning. In total, the Bobcats scored eight runs on eight hits, with doubles from Wilcox, Westler and Young and RBI singles from Hummel and Keidel, giving the Bobcats an early 8-0 lead headed into the second inning. 

After a scoreless second, Ohio looked to add on in the bottom of the third after Kennelly reached on a leadoff infield single. However, the UB defense was able to get the next three outs, ending the inning and sending the game to the fourth still leading, 8-0. 

Buffalo threatened in the top of the fourth inning. After the Bulls put runners on first and second with back-to-back singles to lead off the inning, runners advanced on a ground out, putting two runners in scoring position. However, the Ohio defense was able to record the final outs of the inning, keeping Ohio ahead, 8-0. 

After a scoreless bottom of the fourth, the Ohio defense retired the Bulls in order, securing the 8-0 victory. 

GAME TWO: Ohio 10, Buffalo 0 (5 Innings)
Overall, Ohio scored 10 runs on 13 hits and did not commit an error, while Buffalo did not score a run on three hits and committed four errors. 

Individually, senior Lauren Yuhas (West Mifflin, Pa.) went 3-for-3 with a double, RBI and two runs scored, while Farmer added two hits, one double, two RBI and scored one run. Young added one hit, her first career home run, scored two runs and added two RBI, while Hummel added two hits and one RBI. Kennelly went 2-for-2 with a run scored, while junior Colleen Bare (Pickerington, Ohio) recorded her first home run as a Bobcat. Hoffner and sophomore Emily Caron (Cumming, Ga.) both added hits for Ohio. 

In the circle, redshirt junior Skipp Miller (Bradford, Ohio) pitched four innings, allowing no runs on three hits, walked two and struck out six. 

After UB stranded two runners in the top of the first, Ohio got on the board in the bottom of the frame when Yuhas doubled and then scored on a fielding error, putting Ohio up 1-0 after one full inning. 

The Bobcats added on in the bottom of the second. With one out, Kennelly reached on a single and then scored when Young hit her first career home run to left field. Ohio added on later in the inning with a two-RBI single from Farmer that scored Keidel and Yuhas, putting Ohio up 5-0 after the second inning. 

After UB stranded another runner in the top of the third, the Bobcats added two more in the bottom of the frame thanks to RBI single from Hummel and Yuhas, giving the Bobcats a 7-0 lead headed into the fourth inning. 

Ohio continued to add on in the bottom of the fourth. After Farmer doubled to lead off in the inning, she scored moments later with an RBI single from Hoffner. Moments later, Hoffner scored after stealing second and then advancing home on back-to-back fielding errors. Then with two outs, pinch hitter Bare hit her first home run in the green and white, giving Ohio a 10-0 lead headed into the fifth inning. 

Buffalo looked to extend the game in the top of the fifth, but Miller and the Ohio defense made quick work of the Bulls, sending them down in order and securing the 10-0 five inning victory. 

UP NEXT
Ohio wraps up the three-game series with Buffalo on Saturday, March 22. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. ET at the Ohio Softball Field and can be seen on ESPN+.

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