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KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Ohio softball team (35-16, 18-7 MAC) returned to action Saturday afternoon (May 3) splitting a doubleheader with Western Michigan (15-36, 7-17 MAC). Ohio took game one, 10-4, before falling in game two, 4-1. However, with the outcomes of today's games, the Bobcats secured a bye in the 2025 Mid-American Conference Tournament next week in Akron.
GAME ONE: Ohio 10, Western Michigan 4
Overall, Ohio scored 10 runs on 12 hits and did not commit an error, while Western Michigan scored four runs on nine hits and committed four errors.
At the plate, junior
Izzie Wilson (Delaware, Ohio) went 3-for4 with a single, double and home run, while also recording three RBI and drawing a walk. Sophomore
Brenna Farmer (Mt. Blanchard, Ohio) went 3-for-3 with two walks, an RBI and a run scored, while senior
Maddie Wilcox (Grove City, Ohio) added two hits, one double, three RBI and a run scored. Senior
Lauren Yuhas (West Mifflin, Pa.) drew a walk and scored two runs on one hit, while junior
Shelby Westler (Marion, Ohio) added two hits and one double. Senior
CiCi Keidel (Hilliard, Ohio) added a hit and a run for the Bobcats.
In the circle, redshirt junior
Skipp Miller (Bradford, Ohio) got the start, pitching seven innings, allowing four runs on nine hits, walked five and struck out three for her 17
th win of the season.
Ohio struck first in the top of the first inning. After Keidel drew a walk and moved to second on a single from Farmer, Wilcox doubled to clear the bases, setting up an RBI double from Wilson that game Ohio a 3-0 lead headed into the bottom of the inning.
WMU threatened to respond in the bottom of the inning, loading the bases with one out. However, Miller was able to retire the next two batters, sending the game to the second with Ohio still leading, 3-0.
Ohio added a run in the top of the second with the Bobcats taking advantage of three WMU errors, scoring three runs two hits to take a 6-0 lead into the bottom of the second. After WMU threatened to get on the board in the bottom of the second, Ohio added on in the top of the third, taking a 7-0 lead on a leadoff home run from Wilson.
The Bobcats added on in the top of the fourth inning. With one out, Keidel and Farmer reached on back-to-back singles, setting up an RBI single from Wilcox to drive in Keidel. Moments later, Wilson recorded her third hit of the game, scoring Wilcox and giving Ohio a 9-0 lead headed into the bottom of the fourth inning.
WMU got on the board in the bottom of the fourth with a three-run home run to cut the Ohio lead to 9-3 going into the fifth inning. Ohio looked to get the runs back in the top of the fifth, putting runners inf second and third with one out. However, the WMU defense was able to end the threat and send the game to the bottom of the inning with Ohio leading, 9-3.
Ohio added a run in the top of the seventh inning. After Yuhas drew a walk to lead off the inning, she stole second and moved to third on an error and would score on an RBI single from Farmer, giving Ohio a 10-3 lead headed into the bottom of the seventh.
WMU looked to rally in the bottom of the inning, scoring a run on a two-out RBI double, however, the Ohio defense was able to get the final out of the game, securing the 10-4 win.
GAME TWO: Western Michigan 4, Ohio 1
Overall, Ohio scored one run on three hits and did not commit and error, while WMU scored four runs on seven hits and committed one error.
At the plate, senior
Emma Hoffner (New Stanton, Pa.) recorded one hit and has one RBI, while junior
Belle Hummel (Cincinnati, Ohio) had one hit, and one run scored. Wilso added another hit for the Bobcats, while Farmer dew three walks.
In the circle, freshman
Anna Wise (Broadview Heights, Ohio) got the start, pitching six innings, while allowing four runs on seven hits, walked two and struck out two.
Ohio got on the board first in the top of the third inning. After Hummel singled and Farmer drew a walk, and RBI single from Hoffner put Ohio up 1-0 going into the bottom of the third inning.
After a scoreless top of the fourth for Ohio, WMU tied the game on a ground out, sending the game to the top of the fifth knotted at 1-1. WMU took the lead in the bottom of the fifth on a bases-clearing double to give the Broncos a 4-1 lead going into the sixth inning.
Ohio looked to rally in the top of the seventh inning, when with two outs, Farmer drew a walk. However, Ohio was unable to capitalize, falling 4-1.
UP NEXT
That Bobcats wrap up the 2025 regular season with the rubber match of the series with WMU on Sunday, May 4. First pitch is set for 11 a.m. ET.
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