In recent years, home runs have been almost synonymous with Ohio softball, but balls have been launched over the fence significantly more often this season than in past seasons.
The Bobcats (15-10) not only lead the Mid-American Conference in home runs this year, but also possess the seventh-best average in the NCAA of 1.44 homers per game.
Missouri is the only team in the NCAA to average more home runs in fewer games played than Ohio, as five of the six teams with a higher home-runs-per-game average have played at least 30 games, compared to Ohio’s 25.
Despite having played less than half of its regular-season schedule, Ohio is already sitting with its second-highest home run total in program history of 36 long balls.
At the current rate, the Bobcats will shatter the record for homers in a season of 47 set in 2012. If Ohio continues its current homers per game rate, the Bobcats will hit approximately 76 bombs, surpassing the MAC record of 70 set by Ball State last year.
Though Ohio is not the only team hitting long balls at outstanding rates, the Bobcats have hit 12 more than any other MAC team, as the Cardinals have the second-most with 24.
At the forefront of the offensive success has been a pair of seniors: Caitlin Colvin, a first baseman, and Lauren Gellerman, a catcher.
Colvin is just one home run away from tying the program’s single-season record of 13, which was set in 2012 by Gellerman and junior third baseman Raven King.
“I’m just focused on helping my team the best I can,” Colvin said. “I wanted to be the person that is put in clutch situations and want to be the person that the team can trust.”
With 12 home runs this year, Colvin is eighth in the country in home runs, and Gellerman is not far behind with 10 dingers, tying her for 24th in the nation.
Colvin has hit the ball over the fence more than nine entire teams in the MAC — with just Bowling Green and Ball State totaling more.
Meanwhile, with double-digit home runs for the second consecutive season, Gellerman has earned three MAC East player of the week awards, while also leading the Bobcats in RBIs and slugging percentage.
“I’m happy where I am right now and can obviously improve in many things, but winning three MAC awards is cool,” Gellerman said. “I’m really happy with how consistent I’ve been able to be.”
Gellerman not only ranks among the best in the country at hitting home runs, but is also fourth in the NCAA in RBIs per game, with an average of 1.40. Hitting in the three-spot — just one ahead of Colvin — Gellerman has been fortunate to drive in runs before Colvin belts home runs.
“I’m not surprised with how well we have done this season, but I’m happy with it,” Gellerman said. “It’s like anyone at-bat can hit a home run. Me and Caitlin hit home runs and then we think the next person can do the same for back-to-back-to-back homers.”
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