With a 7-7 record after three weeks of action, the Ohio softball team might not have a winning record yet, but they have already shown something that last year's squad never did.
Following a season in which they had separate losing streaks of five, seven and eight games, this season's Bobcats have shown the ability to bounce back after a tough loss.
After losing to Kentucky, 6-3, Saturday at the Frostbite Classic, Ohio was in the midst of a three-game losing streak going into its final two games of last weekend's tournament. The Bobcats rebounded, however, playing arguably their best two games of the season to leave Kentucky on a two-game winning streak.
Ohio coach Jill Matyuch attributes the Bobcats' strong ability to bounce back from a tough loss to their focus on being consistent.
I'm a believer that if you keep being consistent in your approach
then good things are going to happen Matyuch said. We just take the game pitch by pitch and try to be consistent with everything we do.
Outfielder Shannon Weidner said that this season's team is more motivated to prevent losing streaks.
We just have a ton of passion and a ton of fire Weidner said. That's what's driving us through these games. We're just not giving up.
In Sunday's 3-0 victory over Morehead State, pitcher Candace Warden established herself as a threat, throwing a complete-game, three-hit shutout against the Eagles.
Along with last year's aces, Zoe Heim and Michelle Sauter, and a rejuvenated Natalie Armstrong, Warden now gives the Bobcats four legitimate weapons out of the bullpen.
It's amazing to know that it doesn't matter who we put in the game
because whoever is in will get the job done
Warden said. It gives us a lot more depth and flexibility with rotating people in. We can throw anyone at our opponent and expect to do well.
Matyuch said that the Bobcats' pitching depth makes preparation tough for opposing teams. We've been mixing it up really well
Matyuch said. We have a lot of options going into every game so it will be difficult for other teams to scout us and anticipate who's going to throw.
The Bobcats will head to Rock Hill, S.C., today for the Winthrop Adidas Invitational. Ohio opens today against UNC Greensboro at 9 a.m. followed by a 6 p.m. game with East Tennessee State. Ohio returns to the field at noon Saturday for a tilt with Pittsburgh.
17
Archives
Andrew Gribble
