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[Bryce Tinson | WOUB]

Ohio Softball comes up winless in doubleheader against Northern Illinois

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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB)– It was a perfect day for softball, as the Northern Illinois Huskies (13-22) came into town to take on the Ohio Bobcats (19-21). 

In game one, the Bobcats jumped out to a one run lead as they loaded the bases early in the first inning. Then to follow that up, in the second inning, a three run blast from Yasmine Logan put the Bobcats up 4-0 early.

From there, the Bobcats got out to a 6-3 lead entering the sixth inning.

Ohio starting infielder Annalia Paoli (3) celebrates by jumping and cheering with her team following a 3-run home run in the 2nd inning of OU's game against Northern Illinois on April 23, 2022.
Ohio starting infielder Annalia Paoli (3) celebrates a 3-run home run in the 2nd inning of OU’s game against Northern Illinois on April 23, 2022.

But the lead wouldn’t last long.

The Huskies’ bats came to life and kept going as they put up six total runs in the sixth, giving them the lead and eventual 10-7 game one win.

In that game the Bobcats were out played, allowing 14 hits and following it up with a poor defensive outing suffering six errors, and only mustering seven hits in game one.

There were two defensive teams out there as the Huskies, although having a rough start, came back with pitcher Emily Dato leading the way and she ended the game with five strikeouts. 

In game two, the Bobcats hoped to clean it up but in the very first inning they allowed two runs alongside two errors. 

Ohio answered back with Logan and Annalia Paoli combining to bring the Bobcats up 5-1. 

Then from the fifth inning on the Huskies took over the game scoring nine unanswered runs to end the game and win 10-5.

“I think we need to be better on defense and pitching a little bit but we know how to fix our problems,” said senior first baseman Caroline Spacek. “We come out here everyday, practice really hard. I’m not too worried.” 

A massive reason why the Bobcats struggled was due their defense. Across both games they combined for 10 errors, 26 hits, and only two total strikeouts in the game. 

The bats from Logan, Paoli, and Allie Englant were on fire. England had two triples, and two doubles. Paoli had another home run, and Logan was stellar combining for six RBIs. 

The Bobcats will take on Northern Illinois Sunday at 12 PM. Then they will hit the road for a three game series against the Toledo Rockets (9-33) on May 3.