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ORLANDO, Fla. – The Ohio softball team (8-4) returned to action on Friday (Feb. 20) for the second day of the UCF Space U Classic in Orlando, Fla. Ohio took the first game of the day against Notre Dame (7-6), 5-4 in eight innings, before falling to UCF (11-3), 9-1, in six innings in the second game of the day.
GAME ONE: Ohio 5, Notre Dame 4 (8 Innings)
Overall, Ohio scored five runs on nine hits and committed two errors, while Notre Dame scored four runs on 10 hits and did not commit an error.
Individually, senior Shelby Westler (Marion, Ohio) went 3-for-4 at the plate, including one double and one triple with one run scored. Senior Colleen Bare (Pickerington, Ohio) went 3-for-5 and recorded two RBI. Senior Belle Hummel (Cincinnati, Ohio) went 2-for-4, including a double and two RBI.
In the circle, sophomore Ally Meyers (Waterville, Ohio) got the start, pitching five innings, allowing four runs on seven hits, walked three and struck out three, while graduate student Skipp Miller (Bradford, Ohio) got the win, pitching three innings, allowing no runs and three hits, with one strikeout.
The Bobcats found themselves down early after giving up two runs on one hit in the bottom of the first inning. Notre Dame extended their lead in the bottom of the third, setting the score 3-0 after three.
After a scoreless fourth, Hummel doubled to deep center field, allowing graduate student Rylee McDaniel (Ventura, Calif.) to score from first to get Ohio on the board. Hummel advanced to third on a wild pitch, then a single from Bare brought Hummel across home for the Bobcats' second run of the inning. The Irish added to their total in the bottom of the fifth to extend their lead, 5-2.
Westler opened the sixth with a double to get on base. Ohio loaded the bases, then Westler raced home on a wild pitch to cut into the Notre Dame lead. With the bases still loaded, a walk allowed the Bobcats to score another run to tie the game 4-4 in the sixth inning.
A scoreless seventh led to the game going into extra innings. A single and groundout placed two Bobcats into scoring position, then an RBI single from Bare gave the Bobcats their first lead of the game, 5-4, in the top of the eighth.
The Ohio defense denied Notre Dame another run, securing the win for the Bobcats, 5-4, in eight innings.
GAME TWO: UCF 9, Ohio 1 (6 Innings)
Overall, Ohio scored one run on three hits and committed one error, while UCF scored nine runs on eight hits and did not commit and error.
Individually, McDaniel went 1-for-2 at the plate, including one double. Junior Brenna Farmer (Mt. Blachard, Ohio) went 1-for-2, while junior Izzie Wilson (Delaware, Ohio) had a double and Bare scored Ohio's lone run of the game.
In the circle, senior Keegan Moore (South Point, Ohio) pitched three innings, allowing three runs on four hits and walked one. Meyers pitched two innings, allowing four runs on three hits, walked four and struck out one.
After a scoreless first two innings, UCF took the lead in the bottom of the third, scoring three runs on three hits. The Bobcats responded in the top of the fourth by loading the bases early. A wild pitch allowed Bare to cross home, setting the score, 3-1.
UCF went on to score six additional runs on four hits, ultimately winning the game, 9-1.
UP NEXT:
The Bobcats return to action for the final day of the UCF Space U Classic on Saturday, Feb. 20, when they take on Charleston Southern at 9 a.m. ET and then Penn State at 11:30 a.m.ET.
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