Forty games, six out-of-state tournaments and nearly two months since they began their 2006 campaign, the Ohio softball team will finally get to knock the ball around on some familiar territory.
After finishing a grueling non-conference schedule and playing their first eight Mid-American Conference games on the road, the Bobcats by no means have an easy home opener when they face No. 24 Virginia Tech today.
This is something the players have been talking about for quite a while
coach Jill Matyuch said, referring to the team's return home. It'll be nice to not have to get on a bus before we play.
The Bobcats (19-21, 4-4 MAC) are hoping to carry momentum gathered from their splits this past weekend against Bowling Green, the preseason favorite to win the MAC East division, and Toledo.
Both games were phenomenally well-played Matyuch said. There were great defensive plays from both sides and they were very intense.
In the first of two games between the teams, the Bobcats and Falcons were knotted up, 1-1, until the 12th inning when Ohio collected two runs in the top half of the frame, leading to an eventual 3-1 Bobcat victory.
Despite rallying in the top of the seventh inning to tie the score, 2-2, after trailing for the entire contest, the series finale with the Falcons did not end so sweetly for Ohio. Bowling Green would not allow the Bobcats a second chance at extra innings as they collected the game-winning run on a walk.
Virginia Tech (28-10) comes into Athens losers of two straight games but had previously won 11 of their last 13 contests, which helped the Hokies crack the ESPN.com/USA Softball Collegiate Top 25 poll for the second time this season. Led by USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year finalist, pitcher Angela Tincher, the Hokies are holding opponents under 2.5 runs per game.
Although the Bobcats know their status as underdogs going into today's contests, they are not intimidated by their nationally ranked foes.
It's gonna be great just to play on our home field pitcher Michelle Sauter, who leads the Bobcats in all major pitching categories, said. We're going to respect them
but we're still going to play our game.
We're just going to play like we always do
outfielder Danielle Kelley said. Sure they're good
but so are we.
The first game of today's doubleheader is slated for 3 p.m. at the Ohio Softball Field with a tentative 5 p.m. start time for the second game.
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Andrew Gribble
