The Ohio softball team's quest to shock the Mid-American Conference came to an end Friday in a familiar fashion.
For the fifth time in six contests, the Bobcat bats were silenced by their opponent, this time at the hands of Bowling Green in a 3-0 loss, ending a season in which the 'Cats showed much improvement just one year after placing last in the MAC.
Ohio finished the season with a 27-40 record, collecting nine more wins than in 2005. The Bobcats' seven conference wins marked a three-game improvement from last season, leading to Ohio's first appearance in the MAC tournament since 2004.
After three scoreless innings, Bowling Green took a 1-0 advantage when rightfielder Ashley Zirkle hit a solo home run to left field off Ohio starter Michelle Sauter.
The fourth-inning solo shot was the only blemish on Sauter's performance, as she allowed just five hits while striking out three Falcons in five innings of work. Earlier in the week, Sauter became just the fifth player in team history to be named to an All-MAC team when she made the All-MAC Second Team for her efforts on the hill this season.
The Falcons picked up insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, touching up Ohio reliever Candace Warden for two runs to put the game out of reach.
The Bobcats loaded the bases in both the fourth and fifth innings but were unable to plate a single runner.
First baseman Robin Miller and designated player Shannon Weidner picked up back-to-back singles to start Ohio's rally in the fourth inning. The bases became loaded after third baseman Emily Futscher got on base via a fielder's choice, putting the Bobcats in position to take an early advantage.
The game would remain scoreless, however, as second baseman Alicia Catlette struck out and shortstop Amanda Sacks lined into a double play, ending the threat.
Pinch-hitter Cathy Walters got the Bobcats' fifth-inning rally started with a walk and ended up on third after a Debbie Szalejko single and a Miller walk, which loaded the bases with two outs. Ohio would come up short once again, though, as Weidner hit into a fielder's choice to end the inning.
The Falcons' victory over the Bobcats would be their last of the season, as they lost to Western Michigan, 2-1, in the MAC semifinals.
Kent State picked up their first MAC championship Saturday, downing Western Michigan, 2-1.
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Andrew Gribble
