KENT, Ohio – The Ohio softball team (32-15, 14-7 MAC) wrapped up the three-game series against Kent State (17-25, 7-14 MAC) Saturday (April 18), defeating the Golden Flashes, 9-6, to complete the sweep.
Overall, Ohio scored nine runs on 13 hits and committed three errors, while Kent State scored six runs on nine hits and did not commit an error.
At the plate, graduate student Rylee McDaniel (Ventura, Calif.) went 3-for-3 including a home run and a triple, two RBI, and two runs scored. Senior Colleen Bare (Pickerington, Ohio) went 2-for-3, recording a home run, two RBI and two runs. Senior Shelby Westler (Marion, Ohio) finished 3-for-4 at the plate with one RBI and two runs, and senior Belle Hummel (Cincinnati, Ohio) scored one run on one hit. Junior Izzie Wilson (Delaware, Ohio) scored one run on two hits and recorded three RBI, while Sophomore Sydney Young (Charleston, W. Va.) added two hits and an RBI.
In the circle, graduate student Skipp Miller (Bradford, Ohio) got the start, pitching 2.2 innings, allowing three runs on six hits and walked three. Senior Keegan Moore (South Point, Ohio) got the win, allowing three runs on three hits, walked two and struck out one in 4.1 innings pitched.
The Bobcats wasted no time getting on the board. With two runners on, Westler doubles to left, bringing Bare home for the first run of the game. A groundout added a run, then Young struck a single to left to drive in Wester for a 3-0 lead in the top of the first.
Bare crushed the ball over the left-field fence for a two-run homer in the second to extend Ohio's lead to 5-0.
The Bobcats opened the top of the third with two hits to get runners into scoring position, then McDaniel followed with an RBI-triple for the 6-0 advantage. The Golden Flashes scored three in the bottom of the third to cut their deficit in half, 6-3.
With the bases loaded, Wilson hit a sacrifice fly for one run in the bottom of the fourth. After a scoreless fifth, Wilson recorded her third RBI of the game in the sixth with a double to left, extending the lead, 8-3. Kent State responded with a two-run home run to cut into the lead, 8-5.
McDaniel's strong afternoon continued, striking the ball over the right field fence for a solo homer and the 9-5 lead in the top of the seventh.
The Golden Flashes scored one in the bottom of the seventh, but the Bobcat defense shut them down to secure the victory, 9-6
UP NEXT:
The Bobcats are back in action when they host top-seeded Akron for a three-game series. The series begins with game one on Friday, April 24, at 3 p.m. ET at the Ohio Softball Field and can be seen on ESPN+.
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