KENT, Ohio – The Ohio softball team (31-15, 13-7 MAC) returned to action Friday afternoon (April 17), defeating Mid-American Conference foe Kent State (17-24, 7-13 MAC) in both games of the doubleheader. Ohio took control of both games, winning game one, 13-5, in five innings before winning game two, 10-1, in five innings.
GAME ONE: Ohio 13, Kent State 5 (5 Innings)
Overall, Ohio scored 13 runs on 11 hits and committed four errors, while Kent State scored five runs on five hits and committed two errors.
At the plate, senior Colleen Bare (Pickerington, Ohio) went 2-for-2, including a home run, with four RBI and one run scored. Junior Izzie Wilson (Delaware, Ohio) finished 3-for-4, with four RBI. Senior Shelby Westler (Marion, Ohio) went 2-for-4 with three RBI and two runs scored. Graduate student Rylee McDaniel (Ventura, Calif.) hit a home run, recording two RBI and two runs scored, while senior Belle Hummel (Cincinnati, Ohio) recorded two hits and scored four runs. Junior Brenna Farmer (Mt. Blanchard, Ohio) added a hit and two runs scored.
In the circle, graduate student Skipp Miller (Bradford, Ohio) earned the win, pitching five innings, allowing five runs, four earned, on five hits, walked three and struck out four.
The Bobcats wasted no time getting on the board in the top of the first, as Westler drove in a run with an RBI single to right for an early 1-0 lead. The Golden flashes answered in the bottom of the innings, scoring two runs on three hits to take a 2-1 advantage.
Ohio responded in the second inning. With a runner on first, McDaniel launched a two-run home run to retake the lead, 3-2. Hummel followed with a double to left before Bare hit a sacrifice fly to drive her home. Farmer reached with a single and scored on Westler's two-RBI double, and Wilson capped the six-run inning with an RBI double to push the lead to 7-2.
Kent State scored two runs in the bottom of the second to cut the deficit to 7-4.
The Bobcats loaded the bases in the top of the third, and Bare brought home a run with a sacrifice fly. Wilson continued her strong performance with a three-RBI double to clear the bases and extend the lead, 11-4. The Golden Flashes added one run in the bottom of the inning, setting the score, 11-5.
After a scoreless fourth, Hummel opened the fifth with a single before Bare crushed the ball over the center-field fence for a two-run homer and a 13-5 lead.
Ohio's defense shut down Kent State in the bottom of the fifth to seal the victory in five, 13-5.
GAME TWO: Ohio 10, Kent State 1 (5 Innings)
Overall, Ohio scored 10 runs on seven hits and committed one error, while Kent State scored one run on four hits and committed one error.
At the plate, Hummel went 2-for-3 with five RBI and two runs scored. McDaniel and sophomore Alexis Book (Chillicothe, Ohio) each hit solo home runs and scored two runs, and Bare added a home run. Junior Kylie Gorsuch (North Canton, Ohio) scored one run on one hit, while Farmer added a double.
In the circle, junior Mikie Lieving (New Haven, W. Va.) got the win, pitching four innings, allowing one run on three hits. Senior Keegan Moore (South Point, Ohio) allowed one hit and walked one in one inning pitched.
Three walks loaded the bases in the top of the first for the Bobcats, and Westler followed with a sacrifice fly to get Ohio on the board, 1-0.
Gorsuch singled to left, then two Bobcats got walked to load the bases in the top of the second. Hummel struck a three-RBI double to left center for three runs, then raced home off a Farmer double to extend the lead, 5-0.
Hummel hit a two-RBI single to drive in two runs and the 7-0 advantage in the top of the third. The Golden Flashes scored in the bottom of the fourth to cut into the deficit, 7-1.
McDaniel and Book hit back-to-back solo homers in the top of the fifth, then Bare capped off the inning with her own one-run home run for a commanding 10-1 lead.
Ohio's defense shut down Kent State in the bottom of the fifth to secure the win in five, 10-1.
UP NEXT:
The Bobcats wrap up the three-game series with Kent State on Saturday, April 18. First pitch is set for 10 a.m. ET.
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