Ohio (19-19, 13-6 Mid-American Conference) leveled its record out to .500 after it won both games against Kent State (14-22, 5-11 MAC) on Wednesday. Additionally, Ohio has taken 11 of its last 13, and it added two more wins in Wednesday’s 7-6 and 7-0 victories.
Annalia Paoli went wild and launched three home runs on the day, one of which being a grand slam. The grand slam was the dagger to Kent State in game two, taking a manageable three-run defecit to a spaced out seven in the top of the seventh.
Brooke Rice helped Ohio score first in game two with a two-run home run in the second inning. That hit gave Ohio the lead it never relinquished.
Kylie Coffelt was dominant in the second game as well, where she threw a complete game shutout in just 86 pitches. Coffelt allowed seven hits and added a strikeout during her shutout.
Ohio battled from behind in the first game, though. It had to fight to get back after Kent State easily tacked on three runs in the first inning due in part to a two-run home run.
The Bobcats were able to start a slow climb back to the top in the third on a two-run single by Paoli, which cut the Golden Flashes' lead to one. The Bobcats then gained the lead when Caroline Spacek hit a two RBI single with the bases loaded later in the inning.
The Bobcats held a two-run lead following Spacek’s hit and an RBI single from Megan McMenemy, but it didn’t last long. Kent State soon tied the game on a two-run home run in the fifth.
A double from Allie Englant and another home run from Paoli gave Ohio a two-run lead that Kent State couldn’t manage to come back from.
Mackensie Kohl stayed strong and consistent throughout the game and was not shaken by Kent State’s early lead. Although she allowed six runs, she still threw a complete game with nine strikeouts.
