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ATHENS, Ohio – The Ohio softball team (31-12, 14-4 MAC) wrapped up the three-game sweep of Miami (26-22, 15-7 MAC) in walk-off fashion Saturday afternoon (April 19), defeating the RedHawks, 7-6, at the Ohio Softball Field. It is the first time since 2017 the Bobcats have swept Miami.
Prior to the game, Ohio honored its five seniors,
Lauren Yuhas (West Mifflin, Pa.),
CiCi Keidel (Hilliard, Ohio),
Emma Hoffner (New Stanton, Pa),
Skipp Miller (Bradford, Ohio) and
Maddie Wilcox (Grove City, Ohio).
Overall, Ohio scored seven runs on 12 hits and committed one error, while Miami scored six runs on 14 hits and committed one error.
At the plate, freshman
Abby Kennelly (Waterville, Ohio) went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI, while Keidel had two hits, a double, one run scored and two RBI, including the game-winning RBI. Junior
Belle Hummel (Cincinnati, Ohio) went 3-for-4 with a triple and a run scored, while junior
Shelby Westler (Marion, Ohio) had a two-run home run. Yuhas had a triple and scored two runs, while freshman
Brenna Farmer (Mt. Blanchard, Ohio) added a hit and an RBI. Hoffner also had a hit for the Bobcats.
In the circle, Miller got the start, pitching 4.0 innings, allowing two runs, one earned, on eight hits, while not walking a batter and striking out six. Freshman
Anna Wise (Broadview heights, Ohio) pitched 1.2 innings, allowing three runs on five hits, walked one and struck out one. Sophomore
Mikie Lieving (New Haven, W. Va.) pitched 1.1 innings and picked up the win, allowing no runs on one hit and did not walk a batter while striking out one.
Ohio struck in the bottom of the first inning. After Yuhas drew a walk to start the inning, Keidel doubled to left center, putting runners on second and third with no outs. Moments later, Farmer roped a single to right, scoring Yuhas and giving the Bobcats an early lead. After loading the bases with two outs, Kennelly singled to left, scoring Keidel, putting Ohio up, 2-0 going into the second inning.
Miami threatened in the top of the third inning. With two outs, the RedHawks got runners on first and second. However, a diving play from Hummel in right ended the inning and secured the 2-0 lead for the Bobcats heading into the bottom of the inning. Miami looked to get on the board again in the top of the fourth, putting runners on first and second with one out. However, Miller was able to get the next two batters to strikeout, sending the game to the bottom of the fourth with Ohio leading, 2-0.
Ohio added on in the bottom of the fourth, after Westler hit a two-run home run to left, Hummel tripled and then scored on a wild pitch, putting Ohio up 5-0 headed into the top of the fifth.
Miami got on the board in the top of the fifth, scoring on a two-RBI double. Then with runners on first and third with one out, Wise, who entered the game earlier in the inning, recorded a strikeout and a popup to secure the 5-2 Ohio lead headed into the bottom of the fifth.
Miami took the lead in the top of the sixth inning, scoring four runs on five hits, taking a 6-5 lead into the bottom of the inning.
Ohio tied the game in the bottom of the sixth. After Yuhas led the inning off with a triple to left center, Keidel singled to center, scoring Yuhas and tying the game at 6-6. Ohio looked to retake the lead, getting runners on second and third with one out, however, Miami was able to work out of the game, sending the game to the seventh tied at 6-6.
After Lieving sent Miami down in order in the top of the seventh, Ohio completed the sweep in the bottom of the inning. After Kennelly led off with her third hit off the day, Westler drew a walk and Hummel reached on a bunt single to load the bases with no outs. Then with one out, Keidel drove the ball to right, where the charging right fielder dropped the ball, allowing Kennelly to score from third to give the Bobcats the 7-6 victory.
Up next, the Bobcats stay in Athens on Tuesday, April 22 to take on Ohio State. First pitch is set for 5:30 p.m. ET at the Ohio Softball Field. The game can be seen on ESPN+.
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