ATHENS, Ohio – The Ohio softball team (24-9, 7-1 MAC) returned to action Tuesday afternoon (April 1) for a Mid-American Conference doubleheader against Kent State (7-25, 0-8 MAC) at the Ohio Softball Field. The Bobcats took game one, 2-1, before taking the second game of the series, 8-2. 

GAME ONE: Ohio 2, Kent State 1
Overall, Ohio scored two runs on four hits and did not commit an error, while Kent State scored one run on five hits and did not commit and error. 

Individually, senior Emma Hoffner (New Stanton, Pa.) had one hit, one home run, one run scored and two RBI, while seniors Lauren Yuhas (West Mifflin, Pa.) and CiCi Keidel (Hilliard, Ohio) both had one hit, while sophomore Brenna Farmer (Mt. Blanchard, Ohio) had one hit, and one run scored. 

In the circle, redshirt junior Skipp Miller (Bradford, Ohio) got the start, pitching the complete seven innings, allowing one run, none earned, on five hits, while walking one and striking out seven. 

After a scoreless first and second innings, Ohio threatened in the bottom of the third. After freshman Abby Kennelly (Waterville, Ohio) drew a walk to lead off the inning, junior Shelby Westler (Marion, Ohio) would reach on a fielder's choice and move to third in a single from Yuhas, putting runners on the corners with two outs. However, Ohio was unable to take advantage, sending the game to the fourth with the game tied at 0-0. 

Kent State struck in the top of the fourth, scoring on a sacrifice fly to take a 1-0 lead headed to the bottom of the frame. However, Ohio responded immediately in the bottom of the fourth inning. After Farmer led off with a single up the middle, Hoffner crushed a first pitch two-run home run to left field, giving Ohio a 2-1 lead headed into the fifth inning. 

Kent State looked to tie the game up in the top of the sixth inning. After a one-out double, the Kent State runner moved to third on a passed ball, however a strikeout from Miller ended the the threat and the inning, sending the game to the bottom of the frame with Ohio leading, 2-1. 

Ohio threatened to add on in the bottom of the sixth inning, loading the bases with two outs. However, Kent State was able to get the final batter if the inning to strike out, sending the game to the top of the seventh with Ohio holding onto the 2-1 lead. 

Kent State looked to rally in the top of the seventh, but Miller and the Ohio defense was able to retire the Flashes in order to secure the 2-1 win.  

GAME TWO: Ohio 8, Kent State 2
Overall, Ohio scored eight runs on eight hits and did not commit an error, while Kent State scored two runs on eight hits and committed two errors. 

Individually, Yuhas went 2-for-2 with two walks and scored two runs, while Keidel also added two hits, one run scored and one RBI. Farmer recorded one hit, two RBI and scored one run, while junior Belle Hummel (Cincinnati, Ohio) went 2-for-3 with two runs scored. Westler also added to the Ohio offense, recording one double and one RBI. 

In the circle, freshman Anna Wise (Broadview Heights, Ohio) got the start, pitching seven innings, allowing two runs on eight hits, did not walk a batter and struck out four. 

Ohio struck in the bottom of the first inning. After Yuhas drew a walk to lead off the inning and move to third on a bunt single from Keidel, she would score on an RBI single from Farmer to put Ohio on the board. After Ohio loaded the bases with two outs, Kennelly drew a walk to score Farmer, giving Ohio a 2-0 lead going into the second inning. 

Kent State cut the Ohio lead in half in the top of the second off a solo home run, cutting the lead to 2-1 heading into the bottom of the frame. However, the Bobcats got the run back in the bottom of the inning, when Hummel scored on a sacrifice fly from Farmer to put Ohio up 3-1 headed into the third inning. 

Ohio added on in the bottom of the fourth inning, scoring on a two-out RBI double from Westler, giving the Bobcats a 4-1 lead heading into the fifth inning. Kent State was able to get a run back in the top of the fifth inning, scoring on an RBI single up the middle to cut the Ohio lead to 4-2 headed into the bottom of the inning. 

Ohio added on in the bottom of the sixth inning, taking advantage of base hits from Hummel, Yuhas and Keidel and two Kent State miscues, scoring four runs on three hits and those two errors, taking an 8-2 lead into the top of the seventh inning.

Kent State looked to rally in the top of the seventh, getting the leadoff runner on. However, Wise was able to get the Flashes to hit into a double play to end the game, securing the 8-2 win. 

UP NEXT
Ohio heads to Akron, Ohio April 5-6 for a three-game series against Akron. All three games will be streamed on ESPN+. 

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