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Ohio pitcher Anna Wise throwing a pitch vs Kent State in game 2 of the doubleheader.
Ohio pitcher Anna Wise throwing a pitch vs Kent State in game 2 of the doubleheader. [Reece Merkel | WOUB Public Media]

Ohio Softball sweeps doubleheader over Kent State, maintains control near top of MAC

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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — Ohio Softball (24-9) pulled off a close 2-1 victory on Tuesday afternoon against Kent State (7-25) in game one of a doubleheader matchup at Ohio Softball Field. This game featured a pitcher duel between the two MAC opponents, with right-handed pitcher Skip Miller (9-3) turning in a strong performance for the Bobcats on the mound, scattering five hits across seven innings while racking up five strikeouts and limiting Kent State to only one earned run.  

The Bobcats were initially unable to get through against the Golden Flashes’ Delaney Nagy (1-8) and fell behind in the top of the fourth inning when Kent State brought home a run on a sacrifice fly. However, the Bobcats showed why they possess the second-best record in the MAC, as they took the lead right back in the bottom of the frame on a 2-run home run by catcher Emma Hoffner, her first round-tripper of the season. From there, the Bobcats navigated the final three innings, stranding the tying run at third base and setting Kent State down in order in the top of the 7th to secure the win.  

Game 2

After winning their first game 2-1 against the Kent State Flashes, the Ohio Bobcats came back to the field looking to bring home another win.

Following Skipp Miller’s impressive performance, Anna Wise took to the mound, showcasing her cannon of an arm and ending the top of the first before it could even begin. Into the bottom of the inning, Ohio’s Lauren Yuhas would make her way around the bases, with Brenna Farmer hitting a single down center field to send Yuhas home. Soon thereafter, Farmer would be batted home, collecting another run for the Bobcats bringing the score to 2-0 to close out the first.  

Ohio 3rd Base Shelby Westler throwing around the diamond in warmups vs Kent State.
Ohio 3rd Base Shelby Westler throwing around the diamond in warmups vs Kent State. [Reece Merkel | WOUB Public Media]
Into the second, Kent State would find their footing, as Megan Claerhout would fly a ball out past left field and over the fence. In the bottom, Ohio would fight back, adding another run to the scorebook. The Bobcats at-bat would come to a close after Flashes infielder, Kam Utendorf, would make an impressive catch to give Ohio their third strike. 

Into the third, Ohio’s defensive front would hold solid, and in the bottom, the Bobcats would score once again as Shelby Westler would fly a double, bringing home Maddie Wilcox. From there, the Flashes would try to hold on, adding their last and final run of the game during the fourth, bringing the score to 4-2. 

For the next 2 innings, the Bobcats and the Flashes were in a tug-of-war, with neither team letting up and halting runs entirely. However, in the bottom of the sixth, Ohio would dig deep, adding 4 more runs to their total, ending the game 8-2.  

As the Bobcats look to travel to Akron, Ohio head coach Jenna Hall is excited to see what this weekend has in store. “The confidence they showed today throughout the game was I think something we can carry with us,” Hall said. 

Ohio will be on the road to play Akron (18-17) on Saturday, April 5 at 1 p.m. for a weekend series. 

Kent State will be back home to take on Ball State (21-10) on Saturday, April 5, at 1 p.m. for a weekend series.