Sports
Ohio Softball splits Saturday doubleheader with NIU
By: Austin Yau
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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — Ohio Softball (19-11, 3-3 MAC) hosted the Northern Illinois Huskies (9-9, 3-3 MAC) for a doubleheader on Saturday. After a low-scoring first game the Bobcats run-ruled the Huskies in the second.
In the first game, Katy Ramage laced a triple in the bottom of the second, but got caught stealing home preventing a first run for Northern Illinois.
The Bobcats started the scoring in the bottom of the third inning with Center Fielder Belle Hummel driving in an RBI single. With loaded bases, the Bobcats were unable to capitalize and only led 1-0.
During the top of the fourth, a Ramage bunt put runners on first and second. Kayla Estrada drove them in with a three-run home run to give the Huskies a 3-1 lead.
Ohio loaded the bases again in the bottom of the fifth but were again unable to convert runs, with a pop out by third baseman Shelby Westler ending the inning.
Northern Illinois had a chance to score in the top of the seventh with Alana Powell on third base with two outs. They could not convert, with Jenna Turner grounding out to end the inning.
The Bobcats were unable to rally in the bottom of the seventh and lost the first game 3-1.
In the second game, the Huskies started the scoring in the top of the first with Danielle Stewart hitting an RBI double to bring in Jenna Turner, who had been hit by a pitch earlier.
Hummel was the first run on the board for the Bobcats after an error. Izzie Wilson continued the scoring with a three-run home run that brought in Westler and Kylie Gorsuch.
Jordan Wycuff then hit a home run right after Wilson to put the Bobcats up 5-1 after one inning. Wycuff drove in another run in the bottom of the third that brought Westler in.
Rylee McDaniel put down a bunt that Wilson was able to score on sliding in to keep the scoring going.
Colleen Bare brought Wycuff in on a sacrifice fly that had the Bobcats up 8-1.
The Huskies got pressure on base in the top of the fourth with runners on second and third but ultimately a Jenna Turner ground out ended the inning.
Wycuff brought in Sena Smith but got tagged out while going for third, ending the inning with a 9-1 Ohio advantage.
Northern Illinois built some pressure in the fifth, attempting to avoid the run rule. With runners on first and second and no outs, McDaniel snagged a line drive by Ramage and was able to get the runner Izzi Hanna out on a double play for Ohio.
The Bobcats got the final out with Alexis Book catching a pop fly by Kayla Estrada. This gave them the win by run rule win 9-1. Ohio’s win also won them the weekend series with the Huskies.
Head Coach Jenna Hall spoke on the offensive adjustments between games. “It was just about making sure we stay aggressive. We got a little passive, we got too into our heads with our at bats in the first game,” she said.
Northern Illinois will host UMass for a double header on Mar. 27 at 4 p.m. and the Bobcats will host Pitt on Tuesday at 5 p.m.