Sports

[Jensen Knecht | WOUB]

Bats stymied as Ohio Softball splits twin bill with Bowling Green

By: Bryan Kurp
Posted on: Friday, March 25, 2022

ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — The Bobcats and Falcons played their doubleheader in the cold, wind and, at times, light rain Friday. Ohio’s bats were also cold for a majority of the day — which could be thanks in part to the weather conditions.

The Bobcats scratched out a 2-1 victory in the first game behind four hits but dropped the back end of the twin bill, 5-3.

Payton Gotshall got the start for the Falcons in game one and threw a complete game. Gotshall returned to the circle in relief in the second game and shut Ohio down. She held the Bobcats to no runs on two hits in four innings of work.

“Gotshall’s a good pitcher,” Ohio head coach Kenzie Roark said. “She averages less than five hits a game and has a decent amount of strikeouts.”

Megan McMenemy hit Ohio’s only homerun of the day off Gotshall. McMenemy, the Ohio State fifth-year transfer, sent one over the wall in right center field in the first game. After BG tied the game in the seventh inning, the Bobcats handed Gotshall the loss with a Yasmine Logan RBI double.

Ohio's Megan McMenemy (21) looks at the umpire as he calls an out after a Bowling Green baserunner attempted to steal second base on March 25, 2022. [Jensen Knecht | WOUB] — Ohio’s Megan McMenemy (21) looks at the umpire as he calls an out after a Bowling Green baserunner attempted to steal second base on March 25, 2022. [Jensen Knecht | WOUB]

“We just kind of have to remember that we’ve been in the driver’s seat the entire game and don’t give in just because they punch back a little bit,” Roark said.

The momentum was in Ohio’s favor heading into the second game as it scored the first three runs of the ball game.

After the Bobcats plated a pair of runs in the second inning, McMenemy drove in Allie Englant with an RBI double. McMenemy finished the day with four hits and seven at-bats in both games combined.

“Honestly (I’m) just kind of focusing on line drives to the gap and not doing too much with it. Just see ball, hit ball,” McMenemy said.

“Megan has a mature approach about at bats,” Roark said. “I’m proud of three extra base hits. Proud of that anytime we can make that happen.”

Saturday’s rubber match was canceled due to weather and poor field conditions — so OU and BG settle for a series split.

The Bobcats are back in action on Friday, April 1 as they travel to take on the Miami (OH) RedHawks. Ohio and Miami are scheduled to play a three-game series over the weekend.