As formidable as Ohio looked in its 22-game conference schedule, the basics still seemed to elude the team at times.
The Bobcats (19-30, 14-8 Mid-American Conference) enter today's MAC Tournament tied for the third-best record in the league.
In conference play, they had the second-highest batting average and the second-lowest earned run average through May 3. Ohio even owned the fourth-best fielding percentage.
Yet in their last practice before leaving for Akron to face Central Michigan (26-17, 12-8 MAC), the Bobcats were honing skills they probably learned in middle school softball.
Coach Jodi Hermanek had her team go through rep after rep of routine ground ball situations - simple plays the Bobcats sometimes had trouble completing even as they were piling up wins in their conference schedule.
We're just focusing on the basics of softball
Hermanek said. Kind of like going back to the beginning of the day that we all came together in the first place.
In order for us come out with 21 outs and one run more, we have to take care of those simple (ground ball) plays.
Hermanek might have been particularly concerned about the errors because Central Michigan is a team that will take advantage of Ohio on the base paths.
When the teams last played April 17 and 18 Ohio lost both contests 3-1. The Bobcats owed the first loss to one inning in which the Chippewas scored three runs off errors at third base and right field.
In game two Central Michigan again scored all three runs in one inning with the help of two stolen bases.
Hermanek said it is important to not let the Chippewa runners advance or get extra bases.
We have to really do a good job of getting clean defense as far as relay throws (and) being in position to get the lead outs, she said.
The second-year coach added that the game would come down to things that cannot be practiced.
It's now just about who's going to handle the pressure better, Hermanek said. (It's about) who's going to come up with timely hits, who's going to have solid defense.
,",2,Sports,Nathaniel Maund,31714a.jpg,Ohio University's Melissa Bonner is greeted by her teammates at home plate after hitting a grand slam to end their second game against Bowling Green May 1 at Bob Wren Stadium. The Bobcats won both games of the double header
10-9 and 9-1
and will be playing Central Michigan in the first round of the MAC Championship today. (Eric Jones | PICTURE EDITOR),",",",Up Next,Mid-American Conference Tournament
