Inconsistent offensive production during the past two weekends caused Ohio to split each of its first four series of Mid-American Conference play.
The Bobcats (19-16, 4-4 MAC) will attempt to record their first sweep since before the beginning of MAC play. Miami (12-22, 6-2 MAC) will stroll into Athens on Friday tied for first place in the MAC East.
In order to take two at home Friday, the Bobcats will need to make adjustments at the plate, said coach Jodi Hermanek.
“Our athletes need to know what adjustments are required of them,” Hermanek said. “I think that in the second game against Ohio State, their pitcher threw fast and hard and we were out of our own swing. We need to get back to the details of our own technique.”
Including the doubleheader loss to the Buckeyes on Tuesday, Ohio is in the midst of a three-game losing streak, one shy of its season-long streak.
Against the Buckeyes, Ohio had a taste of its own medicine, as Ohio State belted three homers. Senior catcher Lauren Gellerman did her best to keep the Bobcats with three home runs of her own, which accounted for Ohio’s only runs in the doubleheader.
Gellerman is tied for second in the NCAA with 17 homers this season, which is also a new program record.
“You just want (Gellerman’s) at-bat to come up sooner,” Hermanek said. “When someone brings something that she can hit, she capitalizes on it. She looks smooth and confident at the plate, which I’m happy to see.”
Ohio has belted 52 homers this season and is averaging five runs per game compared to Miami’s four runs and 14 homers. Gellerman and senior first baseman Caitlin Colvin each have homered more than the entire RedHawks team.
“I put faith in my teammates, because they’ve all shown they can do just as good as I can,” Gellerman said. “There’s also a low-key competition (between Colvin and I). We’re both always happy for each other either way, as long as we’re helping the team.”
The RedHawks have had success in MAC play, but on paper, the Bobcats have better offensive and pitching statistics. Miami’s pitching staff has a combined 4.98 ERA and 126 strikeouts, compared to Ohio’s 3.93 ERA and 202 strikeouts.
Last season, Miami swept a pair of games against Ohio by a total of two runs.
The Bobcats fell by final scores of 1-0 and 8-7, with the second game lasting 11 innings.
The games Friday will be the first of a 14-game road trip for Miami, and the Bobcats will play their next eight games at home.
cl027410@ohiou.edu
