The Bobcats had been missing a key contributor in their lineup since conference play began in late March, but now Melissa Bonner is back, and coach Jill Matyuch couldn't be happier.
She's got one of the most beautiful swings I've ever seen in this game
Matyuch said. It's hard when she's not in the lineup.
Although she has played in only 28 of the Bobcats' 43 games, she has had a strong effect on the lineup. She leads the team in RBIs (22), batting average (.349) and doubles (8).
Bonner re-entered the lineup as the team's designated player last Wednesday after missing three weeks because of an undisclosed injury. Since her return, she has hit safely in all six games, including a three-hit performance against Northern Illinois last Friday.
- Bonner said. It's great to get back and be with the team again. Even in the warm-ups it just feels great to be back.
A legit split
Ohio (22-21, 7-11 Mid-American Conference) split both series this weekend, winning the second game in each. Matyuch said that a major factor in the splitting was the difference in attitude the team had in the games.
The difference was most apparent in the series with Western Michigan (17-15, 9-7 MAC). After losing 4-0 Saturday, the Bobcats came out and played much more confident and crisp in game two.
They had only two more hits on Sunday, but Matyuch said they were timelier, which enabled the team to score six runs after being shut out the day before. They also committed no errors after they had two on Saturday.
Matyuch said you could sense a different aura around the Ohio Softball Field Sunday.
You just felt it
Matyuch said. The whole atmosphere was 'compete' today
you felt it from the parents
you felt it from the coaching staff and you could feel it from the players.
Strikeout queen
Ohio pitcher Michelle Sauter etched her name in the record books Friday when she became the all-time strikeout leader in Ohio softball history, surpassing Heather Hagen's mark of 388. Sauter entered the first game against Northern Illinois on Friday needing two strikeouts to break the record. She recorded four against the Huskies and three more against the Broncos to bring her current total to 394.
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