DeKalb, Ill. -- The Ohio softball team (22-8, 5-0 MAC) swept Northern Illinois (7-20, 2-6 MAC) on the road Friday afternoon (March 28). The Bobcats took game one, 8-4, before defeating the Huskies 10-1 in game two. 

GAME ONE: Ohio 8, NIU 4 
Overall, Ohio scored eight runs on 11 hits and committed three errors, while NIU scored four runs on four hits and committed two errors.  

Individually, Ohio was led by senior Lauren Yuhas (West Mifflin, Pa.) who went 3-for-4 with two doubles, one run scored and five RBI. Freshman Sydney Young (Charleston, W. Va.) added three hits, one double and scored two runs, while senior CiCi Keidel (Hilliard, Ohio) had two hits, one double, one run scored and one RBI.  

In the circle, freshman Anna Wise (Broadview Height, Ohio) got the start and the win, pitching seven innings, allowing four runs on five hits, while walking one and striking out three.  

The Bobcats opened the top of the first with two players in scoring position. Senior Emma Hoffner (New Stanton, Pa) hit a sacrifice fly to bring Keidel home and the early 1-0 lead. After a single and Northern Illinois error had two Bobcats on base, Yuhas followed with her first double of the day which brought in two runs for a 3-0 advantage after two innings.  

After a scoreless third inning, Ohio extended its lead in the fourth with an RBI single. Yuhas kept her momentum going, hitting a two-RBI double to score junior Belle Hummel (Cincinnati, Ohio) and junior Colleen Bare (Pickerington, Ohio) before crossing home herself on a Keidel double, setting the score 7-0.  

Northern Illinois got their first hit in the bottom of the fourth leading to their first run of the game. With a player on second, the Ohio defense was able to record the final out of the inning, keeping Ohio ahead, 7-1. 

The Bobcats loaded the bases in the top of the fifth to score off a walk, but the Huskies' defense got the final two outs, leaving three players stranded for an 8-1 score. Northern Illinois' bats came alive in the bottom of the sixth, scoring three runs on three hits to cut into their deficit, 8-4.  

The Bobcat defense shut down the Huskies in the bottom of the seventh, securing the 8-4 victory. 

GAME TWO: Ohio 10, NIU 1 
Overall, Ohio scored 10 runs on 13 hits without committing an error, while NIU scored one run on four hits with no errors.  

Individually, Hummel went 3-for-4 at the plate, scoring one run and recording four RBI. Sophomore Brenna Farmer (Mt. Blanchard, Ohio) went 2-for-3 with two runs scored and three RBI. Bare hit three doubles in three plate appearances, recording one RBI and two runs. 

In the circle, redshirt junior Skipp Miller (Bradford, Ohio) got the start and the win, allowing one run on four hits, while walking one and striking out three in seven innings pitched.  

The Bobcats got on the board first when a single from Farmer brought Yuhas across home to score. Ohio doubled its lead off a groundout, leading 2-0 heading into the bottom of the first.  

Northern Illinois hit a solo home run in the second, setting the score 2-1 after two.  

Three Bobcats walked to load the bases to begin the third. A hit by pitch led to another run for a 3-1 advantage.  

After a scoreless fourth and fifth inning, Ohio struck in the top of the sixth. With two players in scoring position, Hummel hit a two-RBI single to extend the lead to 5-1. Farmer recorded her second and third RBIs of the game off a single to set the score at 7-1. 

The Bobcats extended their lead in the top of the seventh with a two-RBI double from Hummel, who then scored herself the following play, giving Ohio a 10-1 lead. 

Ohio's defense shut down NIU in the seventh to secure the 10-1 victory. 

UP NEXT 
The Bobcats wrap up the three-game series with NIU on Saturday, March 29. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. ET.  

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