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ATHENS, Ohio – The Ohio softball team (30-12, 13-4, MAC) returned to action Friday (April 18), sweeping Miami (26-21, 15-6 MAC) in a doubleheader and taking sole possession of first place in the MAC. The Bobcats took game one, 2-1, before taking games two, 3-1. 

The wins snapped an eight-game losing streak against Miami, and the first time since 2022 since Ohio has won the series. 

GAME ONE: Ohio 2, Miami 0
Overall, Ohio scored two runs on four hits, while Miami did not score a run on two hits. 

At the plate, senior Maddie Wilcox (Grove City, Ohio) led Ohio with a home run and two RBI, while freshman Abby Kennelly (Waterville, Ohio) went 2-for-3, while junior Shelby Westler (Marion, Ohio) also added a hit for the Bobcats. 

In the circle, redshirt junior Skipp Miller (Bradford, Ohio) got the start, pitching seven innings, allowing no runs on five hits, did not walk a batter and struck out 10. 

Miami looked to get on the board first in the top of the first inning, getting back-to-back hits, putting runners on second and third with two outs. However, Miller was able to get the next batter to strikeout swinging, sending the game to the bottom of the frame still scoreless. 

Ohio looked to get on the board in the bottom of the inning, loading the bases with two outs. However, just as the Bobcats in the top of the first, Miami was able to get the final batter to strikeout, sending the game to the seconds still tied at 0-0. 

Ohio struck in the bottom of the third inning, taking a 2-0 lead after Wilcox crushed a two-run home run to left center, giving Ohio the lead headed into the fourth inning. 

After the Bobcats stranded a runner in the bottom of the sixth, Miami looked to rally in the top of the seventh. After Miller struck out the first two batters, the RedHawks got a runner on with a single, however Miller got the final batter to strike out looking, securing the 2-0 victory. 

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

Individually, sophomore Brenna Farmer (Mt. Blanchard, Ohio) hit the go-ahead home run and added two-RBI, while senior CiCi Keidel (Hilliard, Ohio) went 2-for-3 with a double and a run scored. Sophomore Izzie Wilson (Delaware, Ohio) recorded a hit, while sophomore Mikie Lieving (New Haven, W. Va.) added a triple and a run scored, while Westler recording a double and an RBI. 

In the circle, freshman Anna Wise (Broadview Heights, Ohio) pitched a gem, throwing seven innings, allowing one unearned run on five hits, while not walking a batter and striking out a career-high six batters. 

After a scoreless three innings, Ohio threatened in the bottom of the fourth. With two outs, senior Emma Hoffner (New Stanton, Pa.) and Kennelly drew walks, while Wilson reached on a single up the middle to load the bases. However, the Miami defense was able to record the final out, keeping the game tied at 0-0 headed into the fifth inning. 

Miami got on the board in the top of the fifth, scoring on an RBI single to take a 1-0 lead into the bottom of the fifth inning. 

Ohio retook the lead in the bottom of the inning. With two outs, Keidel doubled down the leftfield line, allowing Farmer to come to the plate to crush a two-run home run to left center, giving the Bobcats a 2-1 lead headed into the sixth inning. 

After Wise sent the RedHawks down on order in the top of the sixth, Ohio added on in the bottom of the sixth inning. With two outs, pinch hitter Lieving tripled down the rightfield line, setting up an RBI double down the leftfield line from Westler, putting the Bobcats up 3-1 headed into the top of the seventh inning. 

Miami looked to rally in the top of the seventh inning. After getting the leadoff batter on with a single, Westler turned a double play and then recorded the final out of the inning to help secure the 3-1 victory. 

UP NEXT
The Bobcats and RedHawks wrap up the three-game series on Saturday, April 19. First pitch is set for 12 p.m. ET at the Ohio Softball Field and can be seen on ESPN+. Fans should get to the park early as Ohio will honor its seniors in a pregame ceremony starting at 11:50 a.m. ET. 

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