Softball: Bobcats win two in first weekend of action

The Bobcats began the 2009 season with five games in New Mexico this weekend and returned with a pair of one-run victories over Missouri-Kansas City and Colorado State.

Ohio (2-3) did not get off to a great start in its first two games as the Bobcats fell to Colorado State, 13-11, and New Mexico State, 9-1, on Friday.

But the team did show first-year head coach Jodi Hermanek its ability to hit. Ohio had 11 runs in the loss to the Rams.

The Bobcats did not stay down for long though, and showed some fight in their third game. Ohio had a comeback 6-5 victory against Missouri-Kansas City.

The team rallied in the seventh inning to score two runs with clutch hits by Shalene Petrich, Melissa Bonner and Deanna Hartsough. It was Hermanek's first victory as head coach.

Ohio State gave the Bobcats their third loss of the trip with a 12-3 victory Saturday evening.

But Ohio came out strong once again yesterday in a rematch against Colorado State. The Bobcats won by a score of 10-9 after another hitting outburst.

Sophomore Emily Wethington and Hartsough each produced for the Bobcats.

Wethington was 2-for-2, with two runs scored and a team-leading three RBI, while also earning her first victory on the mound.

Hartsough was 4-for-4 with two runs scored and a RBI.

Wethington and Hartsough weren't the only Bobcats contributing to the win, as seven different Bobcats produced at least an RBI in the game.