Emily Wethington allowed only four hits to Northern Illinois, but those four hits proved costly.
Wethington started on the circle for the Bobcats in their 8-0 loss to Northern Illinois in the second game of a doubleheader Saturday. She pitched 5 1/3 innings with four hits, seven runs (five earned)and five strikeouts.
Things didn't start out well for the pitcher from New Palestine, Ind.
Wethington began the bottom of the first with a walk to the Huskies' lead-off hitter. The next batter tripled down the line to score the first run of the game.
The junior seemed to settle down after the triple. She retired the next three batters in the inning and didn't allow another hit for the next four frames.
The Bobcat offense wasn't doing any better against a pair of Northern Illinois pitchers. Ohio managed just three hits in the game off Huskie pitching, but Wethington's stingy pitching kept Ohio in the game as the score stood at 1-0 heading into the bottom of the sixth.
The wheels suddenly came off for Wethington and the Bobcats in the sixth as Northern Illinois (9-17, 4-0 Mid-American Conference) erupted for seven runs. Wethington was charged with six runs (four earned) in the inning after three hits, two walks, a hit batter and a wild pitch sent her out of the game.
Melissa Bonner came in to relieve Wethington and allowed an unearned run in one-third of an inning to end the game.
The lack of offense seemed to be a theme for the Bobcats in their opening weekend of MAC play.
Ohio (8-15, 0-4 MAC) lost game one of a doubleheader against Western Michigan (18-13, 3-1 MAC) on Friday, 4-0. The Bobcats had only three hits in the game as Wethington took the loss.
Game two of the doubleheader had many of the same results. Ohio lost 3-1 and again could muster only three hits off Bronco pitching. Shalene Petrich provided the big hit for the Bobcats as the junior connected for the first home run of her career. Bonner took the loss for the Bobcats.
Ohio finally found the offense in their bats in game one of its doubleheader with Northern Illinois, but it wouldn't be enough as the Bobcats fell 7-4. Bonner led the Bobcats' offensive attack with two hits and two RBIs. The Kings Mills native took the loss.
Coach Jill Hermanek did not return repeated phone calls Saturday and yesterday.
2 Sports
Michael Lewis
27600a.jpg
