Sports
Ohio Softball avoids series sweep with senior day victory
By: Payton Brooker
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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB)– It was senior day for Ohio University Softball as the Bobcats (20-21) looked to avoid a sweep against the Northern Illinois Huskies (13-23). Before the game, seniors Caroline Spacek, Tori Walker, Caitlyn Fogue, and Mackensie Kohl were all honored for their careers on the diamond.
And they were looking to go out with a bang.
The Bobcats bats were on fire to start the game. In the 2nd inning with bases loaded, fifth year catcher Brooke Rice hit a shot towards the center field wall for a 3 run RBI double. Later in the same inning, a single by Alline Englant brought Rice home making the score 4-0 to start the game.
The Bobcats continued to strike big in the bottom of the 3rd. Caroline Spacek hit a towering drive to dead center to extend the Bobcat lead. The home run gave Spacek her fifth on the year as the Bobcats added 2 more runs to their lead making it 6-nothing.
The Huskies were able to strike back on the Bobcats though, as a pair of RBI singles in the top of the fourth by Mackenize Mahy and Kelly Wallinski kept the Huskies alive.
The Bobcats scoring efforts didn’t slow down into the bottom of the 4th inning. Freshman Laruen Yuhas scored off a double steal, putting another run on the scoreboard as the Bobcats extended their lead to 7-2.
After two more runs in the 5th, the Bobcats wouldn’t be alone in the home run department. Katie Keller crushed a long ball for a Huskies HR in the top of 6th.
This, however, would not be enough, as Mackensie Kohl struck out the final batter to stop the sweep of this series winning on senior day 9-4.
“It feels good when we pull out a win like this,” said Kohl. “After a day like yesterday where we didn’t play our best all the way around we still worked together. They have my back and I have their back. Kind of just goes hand in hand.”
Kohl’s performance on senior day was a quality start for the Bobcats with only two earned runs and three strikeouts.
Caroline Spacek also had an impressive outing going 3 for 4, including a home run.
“It was exciting for them to win on senior day,” said head coach Kenzie Roark. “But, those guys are locked in on making the MAC tournament. That means more to them.”
With the win, the Bobcats remained as one of the top four teams in the MAC with hope to participate in the conference tournament in May.
The Bobcats next matchup is May 3 against the Toledo Rockets.