After splitting six of its last seven two-game series, the Ohio softball team has made one objective very clear for today's doubleheader at Marshall.
We're looking to take two
outfielder Courtney Waters said. We're heading into the final stretch of our season and we have to finish pretty high to make the (Mid-American Conference) tournament.
That final stretch of the season begins today as the Bobcats (22-24) and the Thundering Herd (25-20) square off in a doubleheader between two former MAC rivals.
Ohio went 2-2 this weekend, splitting series with Kent State and Buffalo. Michelle Sauter pitched two complete games while Waters and Debbie Szalejko contributed offensively in a 1-0 win over Kent State and a 7-1 victory over Buffalo. However, the Ohio bats were quieted in a 5-2 defeat to the Golden Flashes and a 2-0 loss to the Bulls.
We definitely know we have stuff to work on because we've been splitting a lot catcher Marian Davis said. We just have to really stay up the second game and come out strong in the first game like we've been doing.
Coach Jill Matyuch would like to see change in the team's plate discipline.
I would like us to be more positive and relax in the (batter's) box
Matyuch said. Even if we don't get hits
I would like us to be tougher outs from one through nine.
Marshall has been able to make things difficult for opposing pitchers this season, as five starters are currently hitting over .300, led by Rachel Folden, who has hit 16 home runs and driven in 47 runs so far this season.
The Herd's pitching staff is led by Abigail Harter (11-9) and Veronica Ralston (12-11). Harter is sporting a 2.71 earned run average while Ralston leads the staff in strikeouts with 109.
The Herd lost two of three games over the weekend to Conference USA rival Houston. They are in the middle of an eight-game homestand, where they are 11-3 this season.
Ohio and Marshall have split the last 14 contests between the teams with the Herd taking two of three from the Bobcats last season.
The doubleheader will kick off at 1 p.m. today at Dot Hicks Field in Huntington, W. Va. The second game will follow shortly after the conclusion of the first game.
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Jason Fazzone
