While most of Ohio’s student population readjusts to being back in Athens this week, for the players on the softball squad it will be a welcome homecoming.
The young Bobcats will finally get a taste of Athens Tuesday when they face off against Eastern Kentucky in a home-opening doubleheader. Ohio’s first home games are its 24th and 25th of the season.
“We are ready to get the second half of the season underway beginning against Eastern Kentucky before we start MAC play,” Ohio coach Jodi Hermanek said. “We have had a lot of time to practice and rest the last couple of weeks and everyone is at or near 100 percent, ready to play.”
As they usually do during February and March, the Bobcats started the year with road trips to warmer climates, and Ohio’s schedule so far reads like an itinerary for spring-break destinations: Virginia, Georgia and two trips to each of the Carolinas.
The Bobcats have gone 10-13 so far this season, which has been feast or famine for Ohio. The Bobcats have outscored their opponents by an average of 6.1 runs in their 10 wins, but their 13 losses have come by an average of 4.8 runs.
“We have worked a lot on our hitting in the past few weeks,” Hermanek said. “Though the competition we have faced thus far this season has been very sporadic, our hitting also has. We are hoping hitting well in practice will reflect into producing during timely at-bats in games.”
Tuesday marks the first of six straight home games for the Bobcats.
Eastern Kentucky comes to Athens with a 12-15 record. The team has lost six of its nine road games. The Colonels average only 4.2 runs per game, but are led at the plate by Raquel Howes, who has already hit seven home runs and driven in 25 runs.
Pitchers Shaylon Robb and Leanna Pittsenbarger are expected to toss against the Bobcats. The two have combined for a record of 11-14 with 117 strikeouts in 174 innings pitched.
For Ohio, pitchers Lauren McClary and Caitlin Colvin are expected to pitch the majority of the doubleheader. McClary has been a star for the Bobcats in the 14 games she has started, as she has struck out 69 batters and already has a pair of no-hitters.
Tuesday’s games with the Colonels are also the last two before Ohio begins its Mid-American Conference schedule this weekend with two-game series against Bowling Green and Toledo.
Up Next:
OHIO vs. Eastern Kentucky
1 and 3 p.m. Tuesday
Ohio Softball Field
—Ohio is 4-2 against Ohio Valley Conference teams over the past four seasons.
—The Bobcats are 5-5 in their last 10 home openers.
— Colonels are only 3-6 on the road this season.
