Had the Ohio softball team's pitching never come around, its upcoming seven-game road stretch might have been the final nail in the coffin.
Instead, the Bobcats (17-23 overall, 11-6 Mid-American Conference) enter the weekend's games against Youngstown State and Akron in second place in the MAC East Division, two games behind Kent State.
Ohio's recent surge is because, in large part, of the growing confidence of its pitching staff, which has a 1.72 ERA in conference play. The pitchers struggled early in the year, but each one's role on the staff has become clearer as the season has worn on.
I still think it's by committee
because there are a lot of games where we have three people pitching coach Roanna Brazier said. But certainly our roles are more defined. Natalie (Armstrong)'s role is to close. Kerri (Harley)'s role is to start. Candy (Warden) is both. Natalie can be both. We're definitely seeing some emergence of
'This is what you have
and this is what you'll be doing.'
Harley (6-8) has become Ohio's No. 1 starter after splitting duties between starting and relieving in the non-conference season. She said she is more comfortable knowing what is expected of her.
The night before
I just assume that I'm going to start so I can get mentally prepared
she said. They normally don't tell us until the night before. I feel that by just assuming that I will
I feel more prepared
where if I'm not sure or not really thinking about it
I'd just be like
'Oh
