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FAIRFAX, Va. – The Ohio softball team (14-6) returned to action on Saturday morning (March 8) for their first day at the George Mason Tournament at the George Mason Softball Complex. Ohio picked up a win in game one, defeating George Mason (5-13), 9-0 in six innings, before defeating Longwood (5-14), 3-1, in the second game of the day.

GAME ONE: Ohio 9, George Mason 0
Overall, Ohio scored nine runs on eight hits and committed one error, while George Mason did not score a run on four hits and committed one error. 

Individually, senior Emma Hoffner (New Stanton, Ohio) went 3-for-4 with two home runs, two runs scored and seven RBI, while senior CiCi Keidel (Hilliard, Ohio) added two hits. Freshman Abby Kennelly (Waterville, Ohio) had two hits, and two runs scored, while junior Shelby Westler (Marion, Ohio) had one double and one run scored. Senior Lauren Yuhas (West Mifflin, Pa.) drew two walks, scored two runs and recorded one RBI. 

In the circle, sophomore Mikie Lieving (New Haven, W. Va.) pitched six innings, allowing no runs on four hits, walked four and struck out five for her fifth win of the season. 

Ohio threatened in the top of the first inning, with Yuhas drawing a walk and Keidel reaching on a bunt single, putting runners on first and second with no outs. However, the George Mason defense was able to retire the next three batters, ending the threat and sending the game to the bottom of the first still scoreless. 

After a scoreless second, George Mason threatened in the bottom of the third. With one out, the Patriots put runners on second and third. However, Lieving was able to get back-to-back ground outs to end the threat and send the game to the fourth still scoreless 

Ohio got on the board in the top of the fourth when Hoffner crushed a leadoff home run to left center, giving Ohio a 1-0 lead headed into the bottom of the inning. 

After The Patriots stranded a runner in the bottom of the fourth, Ohio added on in the top of the fifth. After Kennelly led the inning off with a single, Yuhas was hit by a pitch to put runners on first and second with one out. After sophomore Brenna Farmer (Mt. Blanchard, Ohio) drew a walk to load the bases with two outs, Hoffner recorded a two-RBI single to center, putting Ohio up 3-0 headed into the bottom of the fifth. 

Ohio added on in the top of the sixth inning. With one out, Westler doubled down the left field line. After Kennelly singled and junior Belle Hummel (Cincinnati, Ohio) reached on an error to load the bases with one out, Yuhas drew a walk to score Westler. With the bases still loaded, Farmer drew her own walk, scoring Kennelly and giving Ohio a 5-0 lead.

Ohio was not finished scoring in the inning, when moments later Hoffner an inside the park home run to clear the bases and put the Bobcats up 9-0 headed into the bottom of the sixth. 

George Mason looked to extend the game, but Lieving sent the Patriots down in order, securing the 9-0 win. 

GAME TWO: Ohio 3, Longwood 1
Overall, Ohio scored three runs on five hits and did not commit an error, while Longwood scored one run on four hits and committed one error. 

Individually, Keidel went 2-for-4 with a double, run scored and two RBI, while Farmer also added a double and an RBI. Yuhas recorded one double and scored one run, while Lieving recorded one hit and Hummel scored one run. 

In the circle, freshman Anna Wise (Broadview Heights, Ohio) got the start, pitching five innings, allowing one run on four hits, did not walk a batter and struck out five. Redshirt junior Skipp Miller (Bradford, Ohio) pitched two innings, and did not allow a run or hit, while walking two and striking out three, while picking up the win. 

After a scoreless first inning, Longwood scored in the bottom of the second with an RBI single to take a 1-0 lead into the third inning. 

Ohio looked to tie the game in the top of the fourth after Hoffner reached on an error and then stole second. However, Longwood was able to get out of the jam, sending the game to the bottom of the inning with Ohio still trailing, 1-0. 

After a scoreless bottom of the fourth, Ohio tied the game in the top of the fifth inning with an RBI double from Keidel that scored Hummel from first, knotting the game at 1-1 headed into the bottom of the fifth inning. Longwood looked to retake the lead in the bottom of the inning, however, the Ohio defense was able to force them to strand a run, sending the game to the top of the sixth still tied at 1-1. 

After a scoreless sixth inning, Ohio took the lead in the top of the seventh. With two outs, Yuhas doubled and then scored on an RBI single from Keidel. Moments later, Keidel scored on an RBI double from Farmer, giving Ohio a 3-1 lead headed into the bottom of the seventh. 

Longwood looked to rally in the bottom of the seventh, but the Ohio defense was able to keep the Lancers off the board, securing the 3-1 in. 

UP NEXT
The Bobcats wrap up the weekend at George Mason on Sunday, March 9 when the Bobcats take on Longwood at 10 a.m. ET and George Mason at 12:30 p.m. ET. The game against George Mason can be seen on ESPN+. 

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