With the softball team already taking two from Marshall last week, it was looking to sweep the series with a win yesterday afternoon but fell short in the clutch, falling to the Marshall Thundering Herd 5-1 in eight innings.
Ohio (10-22 overall, 4-5 Mid-American Conference) and Marshall (26-18, 7-3 MAC) held each other scoreless until the bottom of the third inning when the Bobcats started making contact. Outfielder Kelly Rodriguez led off with a base hit and second baseman Kiersten Scrima got on base by a bunt.
After an out, outfielder Erin Chapman walked. First baseman Robin Miller hit a grounder that forced Scrima out at home, but a wild throw to first base allowed Tisevich to score.
The Bobcats, with a strong defense showing, continued to hold the Herd scoreless until the top of the seventh when Marshall outfielder Sarah Wilson hit a solo homer, tying the game at one. Ohio could not score to take the win and the game went into extra innings.
Marshall came out swinging hard in the top of the eighth. Two batters were walked and three had base hits allowing four runs to score before Ohio could achieve its third out.
Ohio coach Roanna Brazier said that it was not just one thing that hurt the team in the extra inning but a combination of walks and the errors.
Ohio was sent down in order in the bottom of the inning, and Marshall won the final series game.
Pitcher Kerri Harley pitched the first six innings, striking out three and allowing only three hits and one run. Pitcher Natalie Armstrong (3-4) replaced Harley after the home run in the 7th, pitching the final two innings, striking out two and allowing four hits and four runs.
Infielder Emily Futscher and Rodriguez were swinging well, going 3-for-4 and 2-for-4, respectively.
Ohio committed only two errors, and Brazier said that defense was one of the key aspects of the game.
Our defense was strong
and no matter where Marshall hit it we were there to stop it she said. Going seven innings without letting a runner score is very good.
Brazier said that to be prepared for Buffalo this weekend the team will have to work on some different parts of the game.
We need to work on all three parts of the game she said. We need to work on our defense and on staying composed.
The Bobcats have one day to rest before returning to action for a weekend series against Buffalo (13-16, 4-4 MAC).
The games will pit the MAC East Pitcher and Player of the Week against each other. Buffalo pitcher Stacey Evans pitched two complete-game shutouts against Akron last weekend, and Chapman was given Player of the Week honors after belting a pair of two-run home runs against Marshall last week.
The Bobcats will play host to the Bulls for a doubleheader at 1 p.m. Saturday and a single game at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Ohio Softball Field.
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Abbey Smith
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Ohio infielder Kirsten Scrima turns a double play during practice on Monday, April 5. The Bobcats prepare to take on Buffalo this weekend at home.
