Despite strong outings from starting pitchers Michelle Sauter and Candace Warden, the Bobcats could not muster enough offense in either end of their doubleheader against Cleveland State yesterday, losing both contests, 2-1.
It was a tough day all around
coach Jill Matyuch said.
The Vikings jumped on the Bobcats early in game one, plating two runs in the first inning to take a 2-0 lead before any Ohio batter took a swing.
Sauter kept the Bobcats within striking distance the rest of the way by not allowing a single Viking on base for the remainder of the game. In her tenth complete game of the season, the right-hander allowed just two hits, setting down 20 consecutive Cleveland State batters in the process.
Leftfielder Kelly Rodriguez knocked in Ohio's only run when she ripped a single to center, scoring centerfielder Debbie Szalejko that brought the Bobcats within one run.
In game two, Ohio (23-27, 6-6 MAC) failed to collect a hit until the bottom of the sixth inning, when Szalejko got on base via a bunt single to start a two-out Bobcat rally.
You try to do something to motivate the team and get some energy Szalejko said.
Szalejko advanced to second base after catcher Marian Davis was hit by a pitch and then scored after Rodriguez collected her second RBI of the day.
The Vikings rebounded, however, sending the game into extra innings with a solo home run in the seventh inning and an RBI single in the eighth inning.
As a team collectively
we are better than what we showed today
Rodriguez said, and we're going to bring it this weekend.
First pitch for Saturday's contest against Akron is slated for 2 p.m. while Sunday's is set for 1 p.m.
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Andrew Gribble
