Sports
Big First Inning leads Buckeyes Past Ohio
By: Kellen Becoats
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Six runs in the first inning led Ohio State to a dominant 12-4 win over the the Bobcats in five innings.
It was a long first inning for senior Lauren McClary, as she gave up six hits and one error to the Buckeyes, who would assert their dominance again in the second inning.
After a solo home run that gave Ohio State a 7-0 lead, freshman Sydney Compston came to the circle to try and stabilize the Bobcats’ defense. Compston did reasonably well, only allowing one hit and an error that ultimately led to another run being scored.
She went on to close the inning strong though, forcing an out at home and a ground out to third. But nothing was clicking for Ohio’s offense, as it took the Bobcats (14-25) until the fourth inning to put some runs on the board.
The runs they did score, however, were emphatic. This was showcased in the fourth when sophomore Casie Hutchinson doubled to right field before senior Adrienne Gebele hit a home run to center field to put Ohio’s first runs on the board.
Then, after sophomore Madison Claytor lined out to shortstop, freshman Mikayla Cooper hit a solo homer to right field to try and get the Bobcats back into the game.
But that wouldn’t be enough, because Ohio State (25-19) got hot again and recorded a two-run homer before the fifth inning was over. Despite the Bobcats having scored one run in the top of the fifth, the game was called early and Ohio was left to return to the rest of its conference season.
The Bobcats will return to Athens to play a doubleheader against MAC-West leading Ball State on Friday at 1 and 3 p.m. After that, they will play a two-game series against Miami, who sit two spots above them in the MAC-East standings.
The weekend will be a test to see if Ohio can play against top competition in the MAC. The results may also have major implications for the Bobcats’ potential MAC-Tournament seed.