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Hermanek’s ‘Cats Look To Continue MAC Success

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After beginning Mid-American Conference play with a 3-1 record last weekend, the Ohio Bobcats softball team returns to Athens for a series with the Kent State Golden Flashes this weekend.

Ohio split both of its series with Kent State last year and come into this year’s meeting in a similar position. The current Bobcats hold a record of 18-14, while the 2013 team was 15-10 at the same point last season.

However, this year’s Ohio squad looks more explosive on the plate, recently posting massive wins of 14-4 and 12-4 against Eastern Michigan on March 28. The Bobcats’ most recent game was a different story, as they recorded a measly four hits in a 5-0 loss against a strong Central Michigan team.

Despite the most recent loss, Ohio has started conference play with a 3-1 record after coach Jodi Hermanek insisted her team was the best in the Mid-American Conference. Kent State has faced challenges this season by playing some of the top teams in the nation, but so have the Bobcats. Hermanek believes her team can pull it out a series win.

“I know that Kent has played a tough schedule and had some great success, so hats off to them because it’s only better for our conference,” Hermanek said. “But at the same time, we’ve played some great teams as well and we’ve gone toe to toe with them as well. And I think that it’s going to be a great battle this weekend against Kent.”

The Golden Flashes are 14-14 on the year and 0-2 in the MAC after picking up both losses against the Miami RedHawks.

After the doubleheader with Kent State, Ohio also has to worry about an off-again-on-again Buffalo team that has yet to be tested in the MAC this year. 

The Bulls will have to play a doubleheader at Akron before making the three-hour trek to Athens the next day for their game at Ohio. Buffalo currently sit at 15-14 and have had some fantastic wins, such as a 19-5 thrashing of Southern University. The Bulls also have some significant losses, such as a 16-7 drubbing by Idaho State.