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AKRON, Ohio – The No. 2 Ohio softball team's (37-19) season came to an end on Saturday (May 10), falling to top-seeded Miami (35-24) in the Mid-American Conference Championship series. The Bobcats dropped game one, 6-0, before dropping the winner-take-all game two, 8-2. 

After the game, senior Emma Hoffner (New Stanton, Pa.), sophomore Brenna Farmer (Mt. Blanchard, Ohio) and redshirt junior Skipp Miller (Bradford, Ohio) were all named to the All-Tournament Team.

GAME ONE: Miami 6, Ohio 0 
Overall, Ohio did not score a run on five hits and did not commit an error, while Miami scored six runs on eight hits and did not commit an error. 

At the plate, Farmer had one hit and drew a walk, while seniors Lauren Yuhas (West Mifflin, Pa.), Hoffner and Maddie Wilcox (Grove City, Ohio) and freshman Abby Kennelly (Waterville, Ohio) all had hits, while junior Shelby Westler (Marion, Ohio) drew a walk. 

In the circle, Miller got the start, pitching two-thirds of an innings, allowing five runs on four hits and walked one. Sophomore Mikie Lieving (New Haven, W. Va.) entered the circle in the first inning and pitched 5.1 innings, allowing one run on four hits, walked one and struck out one. 

Ohio looked to get on the board early in the top of the first inning, with farmer reaching on a two-out single. However, Miami was able to record the final out, sending the game to the bottom of the first still scoreless.

Miami struck first in the bottom of the first, scoring six runs with two outs, including a three-run home run to take a 6-0 lead into the second inning. Ohio threatened in the top of the second, loading the bases with one out, however, Miami was about to get out of the jam, sending the game to the bottom of the second with Miami still leading, 6-0. 

Ohio looked to get on the board in the top of the fifth inning. With one out, Yuhas reached on an infield single and then stole second with two outs. Moments later, Hoffner drove the ball to the wall in left, however the Miami leftfielder was able to track it down, ending the inning and keeping the game at 6-0. 

After a scoreless sixth inning, Ohio looked to rally in the top of the seventh inning. After Westler drew a walk to lead off the inning, she moved to second on a ground out. However, the Miami defense was able to get the final out of the inning, securing the 6-0 win and forcing a winner-take-all game two. 

GAME TWO: Miami 8, Ohio 2
Overall, Ohio scored two runs on eight hits and committed one error, while Miami scored eight runs on nine hits and committed one error. 

At the plate, Farmer went 3-for-4 with a double and a run scored, while Yuhas added one hit and scored a run. Senior CiCi Keidel (Hilliard, Ohio), Wilcox, Kennelly and sophomore Izzie Wilson (Delaware, Ohio) all added hits, while Hoffner recorded an RBI. 

In the circle, freshman Anna Wise (Broadview Height, Ohio) got the start, pitching two innings, allowing six runs on five hits and walking one. Lieving entered the game in the third inning and pitched a third of an inning, allowing two runs on two hits. Miller entered the game in the third inning, pitching 3.2 innings, allowing no runs on one hit, walked three and struck out one. 

Miami took the lead in the top of the first inning. After a leadoff double and error put a runner on third, the RedHawks scored on a sacrifice fly, putting Miami up 1-0 headed into the bottom of the first. 

Ohio responded and took the lead in the bottom of the inning. After Yuhas led the inning off with a single and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt from Keidel, she advanced to third on a single from Farmer. Moments later, Yuhas scored when Hoffner reached on an error. After Farmer moved to third on a fly out, she was able to score when Hoffner forced a run down, giving Ohio a 2-1 lead headed into the second inning. 

Miami retook the lead in the top of the second on a two-run home run, putting the RedHawks back up 3-2 going into the bottom of the second inning. After a scoreless bottom of the second, Miami added on, scoring five runs on five hits to take an 8-2 lead going into the bottom of the third inning. 

Ohio looked to cut into the Miami lead in the bottom of the third with Farmer reaching on a two-out double. However, the RedHawks were able to get out of the inning. 

Ohio threatened to cut into the Miami lead in the bottom of the sixth inning. After Farmer led the inning off with her third hit of the game, Wilson and Wilcox reached on back-to-back singles to load the bases with one out. However, Miami was able to get out of jam, sending the game to the top of the sixth with Ohio still trailing. 8-2. 

Ohio looked to rally in the bottom of the seventh, with Keidel recording a hit with two outs. However, Miami was able to record the final out, ending the Bobcat season. 

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