Sports
Ohio Softball: Bobcats Split Newly-Added Doubleheader against Western Michigan
By: Nick Viland
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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — Two close battles took place on Friday afternoon as a quick change to a doubleheader had to make both teams adapt quickly. Both games were decided by two runs, and both teams walked away Friday with a win.
For the first game matchup, it was a pitching and defensive dual for both teams. Ohio was able to get a rally in the fourth scoring four and never looked back.
Ohio’s starting pitcher Mackensie Kohl was able to pitch a dominant game. Kohl threw for a complete game, struck out four, earned two runs and allowed eight hits in route to her fifth victory of the year.
Western Michigan was able to put the ball in play as they were able to outhit Ohio, 8-5. They struggled doing anything with those hits as they left five runners on.
The Bobcats were able to beat the Mustangs in round one, 4-2.
Round two was a whole different matchup.
Western Michigan got started right away by putting two runs on the board in the first frame. Ohio crawled back quickly by suicide squeezing a run in the bottom of the second to make it a 2-1 game.
Western Michigan would go up by three in the fifth. The Mustangs appeared to be in control until the sun became a factor.
The Mustangs committed two errors in the bottom of the fifth to keep Ohio’s rally going. The Bobcats scored four runs and was able to take the lead.
That lead did not last long as Western Michigan answered right away scoring four runs of their own. Ohio would be able to get their offense to click and tie it up heading into the final frame.
Western Michigan got one across and an insurance run as they were able to seal the deal in the seventh and win round two, 10-8.
Game two was an offensive war where only one inning, the third, would keep both teams scoreless. Both teams combined for 23 hits as the ball was constantly being put into play in the second game.
Ohio and Western Michigan will meet again for another doubleheader on Saturday.