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ATHENS, Ohio – The Ohio softball team (32-17, 14-9 MAC) returned to action Friday afternoon with a doubleheader against MAC-leading Akron (29-21, 19-4 MAC). The Bobcats dropped game one, 4-2, before falling in the second game of the day, 9-5.
GAME ONE: Akron 4, Ohio 2
Overall, Ohio scored two runs on four hits and did not commit an error, while Akron scored four runs on five hits and committed two errors.
At the plate, junior
Izzie Wilson (Delaware, Ohio) went 2-for-3 with two RBI, a single and a home run, while senior
Shelby Westler (Marion, Ohio) added a hit and scored a run. Junior
Kylie Gorsuch (North Canton, Ohio) added a hit for Ohio.
In the circle, graduate student
Skipp Miller (Bradford, Ohio) got the start, pitching seven innings, allowing four runs on five hits, walked five and struck out four.
After a scoreless first inning, Akron took the lead in the top of the second inning on a leadoff home run, giving Akron the 1-0 lead headed into the bottom of the inning. Ohio looked to tie the game in the bottom of the second when Westler and Wilson reached on back-to-back singles through the right side. Then with two outs, Ohio drew a walk to load the bases, but the Zips used a diving catch from their second baseman to end the inning and keep Ohio off the board entering the third inning.
Akron looked to add on in the top of the third, loading the bases themselves with two outs. However, Miller and the Ohio defense were able to force a fly out ending the threat and sending the game to the bottom of the inning with Akron still leading, 1-0. Once again Ohio looked to get on the board in the bottom of the fourth, putting runners on second and third with two outs. However, Akron was once again able to get out of the jam, sending the game to the fifth with Ohio trailing, 1-0.
Ohio took the lead in the bottom of the sixth inning. After Westler reached on an error, Wilson hit a two-run home run to put Ohio up 2-1 going into top of the seventh. Akron retook the lead in the top of the seventh inning. With two outs, the Zips tied the game on an RBI single. Then on their final strike with runners on first and second, the Zips hit a two-RBI single, putting Akron up 4-2 going into the bottom of the inning.
Ohio looked to rally in the bottom of the inning, however the Akron defense sent Ohio down in order, securing the 4-2 win.
GAME TWO: Akron 9, Ohio 5
Overall, Ohio scored five runs on eight hits and committed one error, while Akron scored nine runs on 10 hits and committed two errors.
At the plate, sophomore
Alexis Book (Chillicothe, Ohio) had two hits, while Westler had a hit and two RBI, and Wilson recorded two RBI. Senior
Belle Hummel (Cincinnati, Ohio) had one hit and scored one run, while senior
Colleen Bare (Pickerington, Ohio) added a hit and scored two runs. Junior
Brenna Farmer (Mt. Blanchard, Ohio) added a hit and a run scored, while senior
Rylee McDaniel (Ventura, Calif.) had a double and an RBI.
In the circle, junior
Mikie Lieving (New Haven, W. Va.) got the start and pitched 2.2 innings, allowing five runs on five hits. Sophomore
Ally Meyers (Waterville, Ohio) threw the final four innings and allowed one run on one hit, walked one and struck out two.
Akron took the lead in the top of the first inning, scoring two runs on two hits to take a 2-0 lead going into the bottom of the frame. The Bobcats tied the game in the bottom of the inning, scoring on a bases loaded walk and then on a ground out, knotting the game at 2-2 going into the second inning. Ohio looked to take the lead in the bottom of the second inning, loading the bases with one out. However, the Akron defense was able to get out of the jam, sending the game to the third still tied at 2-2.
Akron took the lead in the top of the third, scoring three runs, including a two-run home run to left to take a 5-2 lead going into the bottom of the inning. Ohio got a run back in the bottom of the third, scoring on an RBI double from McDaniel, putting runners on second and third with one out. However, after a pitching change, the Zips were able to get out of the jam, sending the game to the fourth with Ohio trailing, 5-3.
Akron added on in the top of the fourth, scoring three more runs to take an 8-3 lead going into the bottom of the inning. Ohio got two runs back in the bottom of the frame, scoring two runs on an RBI single from Westler and a sacrifice fly from Wilson, cutting the Ohio deficit to 8-5 going into the fifth inning.
After Akron took a 9-5 lead on a sacrifice fly in the fifth inning, the Bobcats looked to rally in the bottom of the seventh. However, the Bobcats were unable to do so, falling, 9-5.
UP NEXT
The Bobcats wrap up the three-game series with Akron on Saturday, April 25. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. ET at the Ohio Softball Field and can be seen on ESPN+. Saturday will also serve as Senior Day for Ohio with a pregame ceremony.
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