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AKRON, Ohio – The No. 2 Ohio softball team (37-17) advanced to the 2025 Mid-American Conference Championship game after defeating top-seeded Miami (32-24), 5-2, Friday afternoon (May 9) at Firestone Stadium. After the conclusion of this evening's game, Ohio and Miami will face off once again in the championship game at 1 p.m. ET on May 10. 

The victory was head coach Jenna Hall's 100^th career victory. 

Overall, Ohio scored five runs on 11 hits and committed one error, while Miami scored two runs on six hits and did not commit an error. 

At the plate, sophomore Brenna Farmer (Mt. Blanchard, Ohio) went 3-for-3 with a walk, double, RBI and two runs scored. Senior CiCi Keidel (Hilliard, Ohio) went 2-for-3 with a double and two runs scored, while senior Emma Hoffner (new Stanton, Pa.) went 2-for-3 with a double, three RBI and the go-ahead single in the top of the seventh inning. Senior Lauren Yuhas (West Mifflin, Pa.) added a hit, and a run scored, while freshman Abby Kennelly (Waterville, Ohio) added a hit and an RBI. Sophomore Izzie Wilson (Delaware, Ohio) and senior Maddie Wilcox (Grove City, Ohio) both had base hits for the Bobcats. 

In the circle, redshirt junior Skipp Miller (Bradford, Ohio) picked up her 19^th win of the season, pitching seven innings, allowing two runs, none earned, while walking and striking out two. 

Ohio struck first in the top of the first inning. With one out, Keidel doubled down the leftfield line, setting up an RBI double from Farmer to right center, giving the Bobcats a 1-0 lead headed into the bottom of the first. 

Miami looked to get the run back in the bottom of the inning, getting runners on first and third, however, Ohio was able to get the next batter to line out and Miller strike out the final batter of the inning to keep the game at 1-0 headed into the top of the second. 

After a scoreless second inning, Ohio added on in the top of the third. With two outs, Famer crushed her second double of the game, this time to left. Moments later, Hoffner responded with a double of her own to score Farmer, giving Ohio a 2-0 lead headed into the bottom of the third. 

Miami got on the board in the bottom of the third, taking advantage of an early Ohio miscue, tying the game at 2-2 headed into the fourth inning. 

After a scoreless fourth a fifth innings, Ohio threatened in the top of the sixth inning. After Farmer led the inning off with a single and moved to on a single from Wilson. After Ohio loaded the bases on a single from Wilcox with one out, Miami was able to get out of the game on back-to-back ground balls, ending the threat and sending the game to the bottom of the inning with the game still tied at 2-2. 

After a scoreless bottom of the sixth from Miami, Ohio broke the tie in the top of the seventh inning. With one out, Yuhas and Keidel reached on back-to-back singles. After Farmer drew a walk, Hoffner dribbled a two-RBI single up the middle to score Yuhas and Keidel. After Wilcox reached after being hit by a pitch, Kennelly singled on her own to score Farmer, giving Ohio a 5-2 lead going into the bottom of the seventh inning. 

Miami looked to rally in the bottom of the seventh inning. After the leadoff batter drew a walk, Miller and the Ohio defense was able to retire the next three RedHawks, securing the 5-2 victory and advancing to Saturday afternoon's championship game. 

Up next, the Bobcats will compete for their first MAC Tournament Championship since 2018 on Saturday, May 10. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. ET at Firestone Stadium and can be seen on ESPN+. After the conclusion of tonight's game, Ohio and the RedHawks will face off once again. 

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