Sports
Ohio Softball gets back in win column with mercy-rule victory over Akron on Senior Day
By: Thomas Henry
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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — The Ohio Bobcats softball team (33-17) bounced back from a pair of disappointing losses against the University of Akron (29-22) on Friday with a statement win against the Zips on Saturday afternoon, blowing out Akron 10-0 en route to a mercy-rule victory on Senior Day in Athens.
Ohio jumped all over Zips starter Macy Walters (L, 12-10) with a four-run first inning, capped off by a three-run home run from Bobcat first baseman Brenna Farmer that chased Walters from the game after less than an inning pitched and forced Akron to go to their bullpen early. Ohio starter Skip Miller (W, 18-7), buoyed by the early offensive attack, tossed 4.2 scoreless innings with two strikeouts and four walks.
“Anytime you can give a pitcher room to breathe a little bit, it allows her to be loose and spin her pitches,” Ohio head coach Jenna Hall said postgame. “I think, you know, Skip a little bit early on was just a little bit tight, trying to do too much, and then she kind of settled in and started really spinning the ball. She spins like that. She’s super effective.”
The Bobcats continued to pound Akron as the game wore on, scoring two more runs in the second inning and then rallying for a four-run fourth inning to make it 10-0. Due to mercy rules, the game ended after five innings since the Bobcats were ahead by eight or more runs. Akron racked up only four hits in the entire game, with two of them coming in their last at bat in a last-ditch effort to keep the game going.
For many senior players on the Bobcats, Senior Day was a chance to reflect back on their careers at Ohio and how they have grown both on and off the field. Bobcats third baseman Shelby Westler, who hit a two-run homer in the second as part of a multi-hit afternoon, reflected on her time at Ohio after the game and the biggest lessons that she had learned while in Athens.
“I would say, you know, never take anything for granted. You know, I went through some stuff in my four years here, being diagnosed with diabetes, being taken out in the middle of the season for being ill. You never know how much you love something until it gets taken away from you.” Westler said. “Just don’t take anything for granted, and just to live every moment to the fullest, especially when you’re surrounded by, you know, 24 built-in best friends.”
Ohio second baseman Colleen Bare, who hit one of Ohio’s three homers on the afternoon with a solo blast in the fourth inning, spoke about her experience in Athens after having transferred to Ohio University at the beginning of her junior year.
“It’s been amazing. Love the girls, love the staff, and just super grateful for the opportunities that I had,” Bare said.
“It’s just about staying focused and consistent in on our day-to-day process, and I think that lesson will help us build confidence,” said Hall after the game.
With the victory over Akron, Ohio softball has once again clinched a spot in the MAC Tournament for the third straight season, following appearances in 2024 and 2025. The Bobcats will venture to Amherst, Massachusetts to take on the University of Massachusetts on Friday at 3 p.m. as they keep their sights set on having a strong finish to the regular season before the tournament begins.