Ohio continues its dominance by winning its fifth straight series after defeating the Bowling Green Falcons in the rubber match by a score of 9-1 to take the series 2-1.
After inconsistent pitching from the Bobcats yesterday, Ohio’s ace graduate pitcher, Skipp Miller, had one of her best pitching performances of the season to make the Falcons' offense look clueless. On top of that, the Bobcats' hitting recovered greatly after a tough second game yesterday.
The scoring started in the top of the second inning as back-to-back hits for Bowling Green brought in the first run of the game. Miller then got two strikeouts and forced a groundout to end the inning.
Ohio sophomore infielder Sydney Young, making her first start of the series, blasted a home run to open up the bottom of the second inning and tie the game.
“I started her a couple times earlier in the season; she has been so consistent for us off the bench,” Ohio head coach Jenna Hall said about the decision to start Young for the first time in the series. “She’s fantastic as a pinch hitter, which is probably one of the hardest roles on the team. She’s so confident and mentally sound. I trust her in every single situation.”
Her home run was the only scoring for the Bobcats in inning two. After a scoreless third inning from both teams and no runs for Bowling Green in the top of the fourth inning, Young struck again. After a leadoff double from junior outfielder Izzie Wilson, Young brought her home on an RBI single to break the tie and give the Bobcats a 2-1 lead.
Ohio finally broke the game open in the bottom of the fifth inning. A lead-off single by sophomore outfielder Alexis Book, followed by another single by senior outfielder Belle Hummel, that followed by junior infielder Brenna Farmer being walked, loaded the bases for senior infielder Shelby Westler. Westler then hit a double to bring all three runners home and made the score 5-1.
“Scooting up a little bit on the plate so we could get under the ball more,” Hall said about the offensive adjustments leading up to the big fifth inning. “It was really exciting to see them make that adjustment, and be willing to do it and then put the ball in play.”
Now that there was less pressure as the game wasn’t very close, Miller tallied two quick strikeouts in the top of the sixth inning and force a groundout to end the inning fast.
“Extremely incredible, especially for our pitching staff,” Westler said about the relief the defense feels after a big offensive inning. “Being able to breathe, and know that a mistake wouldn’t be the end of the world.”
After an early RBI double by Belle Hummel and an RBI single by senior infielder Colleen Bare, the score was 7-1. Westler came to the plate and hit a walk-off 2-run home run to initiate the run rule and end the game in six innings with a score of 9-1.
“It’s just about staying in it until the end, and knowing that we’re a couple runs away from going home early,” Westler said about the mentality during her game-ending home run. “So I was just staying engaged, taking focus, and being in that moment for my team.”
The Bobcats' dominating win was just as much about their pitching as it was their hitting. Miller pitched another full game while only allowing 1 run on 3 hits with 7 strikeouts to get her second win of the series.
“She has given her heart and soul to this program for four years,” Coach Hall said. “She’s battling through a lot, and I’m just extremely proud of her commitment to us and the way she has stuck with us throughout the years.”
With the Sunday win, the Bobcats win their fifth straight conference series with only three remaining in the regular season.
“It’s an incredible feeling,” Westler said about Ohio winning its fifth straight series. “It’s confidence moving forward, with swagger and that chip on our shoulder that we needed. We continue to fight and not take anybody for granted, no matter who we’re facing.”
