After a weekend that was difficult for both the on-field reasons as well as the weather-related reasons, Ohio looks to turn the page in its upcoming tournament, the EKU Colonel Classic.
The Bobcats will play four games over the course of the weekend against three different teams. Here is a scouting report for each of those teams:
Games 1 & 2
Opponent: Dayton
Dates: Thursday, Mar. 2 & Saturday, Mar. 4
Times: 7 p.m. (Thursday) and 10 a.m. (Saturday)
Venue: Gertrude Hood Field (Richmond, Kentucky)
Live stats can be accessed here for Thursday and here for Saturday.
Meet the opponent
Individual statistical leaders
Batting average: Emma Schutter (.438)
Hits: Schutter (14)
OPS: Schutter (1.003)
Home runs: Alyssa Cacini (2)
RBI: Cacini (10)
Innings pitched: Izzy Kemp (24.1)
Strikeouts: Kemp (42)
ERA: Kemp (1.44)
Notes:
Dayton is off to a solid start to the season, splitting its first 10 games. In terms of the schedule it has played so far, Dayton’s has been very similar to that of Ohio in the sense that it has gone on the road and played some high-quality SEC teams as well as some formidable mid-major squads. Dayton was picked to finish 4th in the Atlantic 10 Preseason Coaches Poll. Recently, Ohio holds the edge in this in-state battle, leading 7-4 since 2012. Most recently, Ohio defeated Dayton in 2022, extending its win streak as Ohio has won four of the last five meetings between the schools.
Game 3
Opponent: Eastern Kentucky
Date: Saturday, Mar. 4
Time: 3 p.m.
Venue: Gertrude Hood Field (Richmond, KY)
The game can be watched here on ESPN+ ($)
Live stats can be accessed here
Meet the opponent
Individual statistical leaders
Batting average: Vianna Barron (.423)
Hits: Barron (22)
OPS: Barron (1.252)
Home runs: Barron (4)
RBI: Barron (18)
Innings pitched: Lauren Narvaez (50.2)
Strikeouts: Narvaez (18)
ERA: Brooke Davis (3.20)
Notes:
The host team for this tournament, Eastern Kentucky has gotten out to a fast start to the season. Sitting at 10-5 thus far, Eastern Kentucky has far surpassed its predicted 12th place finish in the Atlantic Sun Preseason Coaches Poll. Eastern Kentucky has exclusively played mid-major programs in its early-season tournaments, allowing it to gain experience against equal competition. Eastern Kentucky is led by the extraordinarily hot start from Vianna Barron, who is leading the team in almost every offensive category. In its history against Ohio, Eastern Kentucky has never lost on its home field, going a perfect 3-0. However, Ohio defeated EKU in their last meeting in 2022.
Game 4
Opponent: Indiana State
Date: Sunday, Mar. 5
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Venue: Gertrude Hood Field (Richmond, Kentucky)
Live stats can be accessed here
Meet the opponent:
Individual statistical leaders
Batting average: Isabella Henning (.467)
Hits: Henning (14)
OPS: Henning (1.196)
Home runs: Henning and TeAnn Bringle (1)
RBI: Bringle (6)
Innings pitched: Lexi Benko (25.2)
Strikeouts: Lauren Sackett (25)
ERA: Benko (1.09)
Notes:
As an institution, Indiana State might be best known for producing one of the greatest basketball players ever, Larry Bird. However, the softball program has quietly been on the rise for the last few years. After an appearance in the NCAA tournament in 2015, the program experienced some down years. A steady increase in wins have led the program to this season, where it has started 5-5. Interestingly enough, there have been as many game cancellations (5) for Indiana State as wins (5) and losses (5). Indiana State was picked to finish 8th in the Missouri Valley Conference Preseason Coaches Poll. In the head-to-head series between Ohio and Indiana State, there is a single meeting played where Ohio was victorious in 2020.
