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CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – The Ohio softball team (7-2) returned to action for the second day of the Chattanooga Challenge on Saturday (Feb. 14), splitting the day's game. The Bobcats opened the day by defeating Middle Tennessee (1-7), 6-3, in game one, before falling to host Chattanooga (5-3), 8-3, in the second game.
GAME ONE: Ohio 6, Middle Tennessee 3
Overall, Ohio scored six runs on eight hits and did not commit an error, while Middle Tennessee scored three runs on five hits and committed two errors.
The Bobcats were led by senior
Colleen Bare (Pickerington, Ohio) who went 2-of-3 with two home runs, two runs scored and three RBI. Senior
Shelby Westler went 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored, while sophomore
Sydney Young (Charleston, W. Va.) had a double and two RBI.
In the circle, sophomore
Ally Meyers (Waterville, Ohio) got the start, pitching seven innings, allowing three runs, three earned, on five hits, while walking four and striking out five.
Middle Tennessee struck first in the top of the third inning on a leadoff home run. However, the Bobcats were able to get out of the inning, only trailing 1-0. The Bobcats took the lead in the bottom of the frame, taking a 2-0 lead after a two-run home run from Bare.
Ohio added on in the bottom of the fourth inning. After Westler led the inning off with a double to right and freshman
Sena Smith (East Liverpool, Ohio) drew a walk, Young would rope a two-RBI double to right, putting the Bobcats up 4-1 after four innings.
Middle Tennessee cut into the Bobcats lead in the top of the fifth after a two-run home run brought MT within one going into the bottom of the inning. The Bobcats got the runs back in the bottom of the inning. After Bare led the inning off with her second home run of the game, junior
Izzie Wilson (Delaware, Ohio) recorded an RBI single to give Ohio a 6-3 lead going into the top of the sixth inning.
After a scoreless sixth inning from both teams, Middle Tennessee looked to extend the game, however, the Ohio defense was able to strand one MT runner, securing the 6-3 win.
GAME TWO: Chattanooga 8, Ohio 3
Overall, Ohio scored three runs on three hits and committed three errors, while Chattanooga scored eight runs on 12 hits and did not commit an error.
Individually, graduate student
Rylee McDaniel (Ventura, Calif.) recorded a home run, two RBI and scored a run, while senior
Belle Hummel (Cincinnati, Ohio) recorded a hit and Bare added a hit and an RBI.
In the circle, senior
Keegan Moore (South Point, Ohio) got the start, throwing one inning, allowing three runs on three hits and walking two. Graduate student
Skipp Miller (Bradford, Ohio) entered the game and threw 3.0 innings, allowing four runs, one earned, on six hits, walked two and struck out one, while junior
Mikie Lieving (New Haven, W.V.) threw two innings and allowed one run on three hits, walked one and struck out three.
Chattanooga got on the board in the bottom of the first inning, scoring three runs on three hits, taking an early 3-0 lead into the second inning. After Ohio stranded a runner in the top of the second, the Mocs added on in the bottom of the inning, taking a 5-0 lead after scoring two runs on three hits and two Bobcat errors.
After a scoreless third, Chattanooga added on in the bottom of the fourth, scoring two runs on two hits and an error to give them a 7-0 lead headed into the fifth inning. The Bobcats got on the board in the top of the fifth inning after McDaniel hit a two-run home run to center, her first as a Bobcat, cutting the deficit to 7-2 entering the bottom of the frame. However, Chattanooga got one of the runs back in the bottom of the inning on an RBI single to increase their lead to 8-2 after five innings.
The Bobcats looked to rally in the top of the seventh inning. After sophomore
Alexis Book (Chillicothe, Ohio) drew a walk and Hummel reached on a two-out single, Bare singled to score Book. However, the Bobcats were unable to capitalize, falling 8-3.
UP Next
Sunday's game at the Chattanooga Challenge has been canceled due to inclement weather. The Bobcats will be back in action Feb. 19-21 when they head to Orlando, Fla. for the UCF Space U Classic. While there, the Bobcats will take on UCF, Notre Dame, Charleston Southern and Penn State.
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