OXFORD, Ohio – The Ohio softball team (26-14, 9-6 MAC) returned to action Wednesday afternoon (April 8), splitting a doubleheader with Miami (27-12, 9-6 MAC) in the 'Battle of the Bricks'. The Bobcats defeated the RedHawks in the first game of the afternoon, 13-8, before dropping game two, 8-5. With yesterday's win, the Bobcats earned the series win over Miami for the second-straight season. Senior Shelby Westler finished the doubleheader with five hits, three doubles, a grand slam and 12 RBI to lead Ohio at the plate.  

GAME ONE: Ohio 13, Miami 8 
Overall, Ohio scored 13 runs on 10 hits and committed two errors, while Miami scored eight runs on 10 hits and committed one error. 

At the plate, senior Shelby Westler (Marion, Ohio) led the Bobcats, going 3-for-5 with nine RBI and one run scored and a grand slam. Senior Belle Hummel (Cincinnati, Ohio) went 2-for-3 at the plate with two runs scored, while junior Brenna Farmer (Mt. Blanchard, Ohio) went 1-for-2 with two RBI and three runs scored. Junior Kylie Gorsuch (North Canton, Ohio) finished with two hits, while sophomore Jordyn Wycuff (Pataskala, Ohio) and junior Izzie Wilson (Delaware, Ohio) each had one hit.  

In the circle, junior Mikie Lieving (New Haven, W. Va.) got the start, pitching two innings, allowing five runs, four earned on seven hits, walked one and struck out two. Senior Keegan Moore (South Point, Ohio) earned her seventh win of the season, allowing three runs on two hits with three strikeouts in four innings pitched. Graduate student Skipp Miller (Bradford, Ohio) pitched the final inning, allowing one hit, walked one and struck out one. 

The Bobcats jumped out to an early lead in the top of the first, loading the bases before Westler launched a grand slam to give the Bobcats a 4-0 advantage. 

The RedHawks got on the board in the bottom of the second with one run to cut into the deficit. Miami then took the lead in the bottom of the third, plating five runs on five hits to go ahead, 6-4.  

Ohio responded in the top of the fourth. With three Bobcats on base, Westler delivered a double down the line, driving in three runs for the 7-6 advantage. The RedHawks answered in the bottom of the inning with a solo home run to even the score, 7-7.  

The score remained tied through the top of the sixth before Miami broke the tie with a run in the bottom of the inning to take an 8-7 lead. 

Ohio loaded the bases in the top of the seventh with a hit and two walks. A fielding error and a walk allowed the Bobcats to regain the lead, 9-8. Farmer followed with a two-RBI single to left before Westler added a two-RBI single to extend the lead, 13-8. 

The Ohio defense shut down Miami in the bottom of the seventh, with Miller striking out the final batter to secure the 13-8 victory. 

GAME TWO: Miami 8, Ohio 5 
Overall, Ohio scored five runs on nine hits and did not commit an error, while Miami scored eight runs on eight hits and committed two errors. 

At the plate, Westler went 2-for-4 and recorded three RBI. Hummel went 2-for-4 and scored two runs. Farmer finished with one run on two hits, while sophomore Alexis Book (Chillicothe, Ohio) ended with one run on one hit. 

In the circle, Miller got the start, pitched six innings, allowing eight runs on eight hits, walked two and struck out six. 

Farmer got on base in the top of the first with a single to right field, then raced home off a double from Westler for Ohio's first run of the game and the early 1-0 lead.  

Miami answered in the bottom of the first, hitting a three-run home run for the 3-1 advantage. 

Hummel opened the third with a single to left. After advancing to third on a hit by pitch and a groundout, she raced home on an error to score. Senior Colleen Bare (Pickerington, Ohio) followed with an RBI, tying the game at 3-3 

After a scoreless fourth and fifth inning, the RedHawks scored five in the bottom of the sixth for the 8-3 lead.  

The Bobcats would look to rally in the bottom of the seventh inning. Book and Hummel opened with two hits to get into scoring position. Westler doubled to center to bring in the two runs to cut into the deficit, but it was not enough as they ultimately dropped game two, 8-5. 

UP NEXT: 
The Bobcats are back in action when they host Bowling Green for a three-game series. The series begins with a doubleheader on Saturday, April 11 at 1 p.m. ET at the Ohio Softball Field and can be seen on ESPN+ 

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