April 14, 2007

Box Score

ATHENS, Ohio - The Ohio (18-20, 6-5) softball team won game two, 8-2, of a doubleheader at Kent State (20-14, 7-1) on Saturday. Kent State won game one, 5-2.

"It was great to take the second game," said Head Coach Jill Matyuch. "I felt we played well in the first game, but just not well enough to come away with a victory. Michelle Sauter gave us a couple of very good starts. We needed a solid close out of Candace in the second game and she fared the elements very well. We strung hits together and it was great to see so many players make adjustments along the way."

Kelly Rodriguez (Miami, Fla.) and Shalene Petrich (Chehalis, Wash.) ended the day 3-for-7 (.429). Rodriguez also scored three runs, including two in the second game, and had a double and a triple with one RBI. Petrich has a run and a RBI.

Marian Davis (Brighton, Mich.) and Alicia Catlette (Mogadore, Ohio) had two runs each. Davis scored a run in each game while both of Catlette's were in game two.

Overall, the Bobcats hit .250 on the day, totaled 10 runs, 14 hits and nine RBI.

Game one
Kent State got off to an early start in game one, building a 5-0 lead over the first six innings. Ohio didn't get on the scoreboard until the top of the seventh inning.

Rodriguez hit a triple to lead the seventh inning off and scored on a RBI single by Kristen Salvatore (Kirtland, Ohio). Davis followed with bunt single and later scored on a RBI single from Courtney Waters (Eagle River, Alaska).

Michelle Sauter (Chehalis, Wash.) took the loss after putting in five innings of work as the starting pitcher. Sauter struck out seven batters and allowed four hits and four earned runs.

Game two
The Bobcats made a quick turnaround in game two by scoring four runs in the second inning and another in the fourth for a 5-0 lead.

Rodriguez lead the second inning off with a double and scored Ohio's first run after Catlette walked. Debbie Szalejko (Beavercreek, Ohio) hit a two-RBI single and Petrich hit a RBI single.

Ohio's run in the fourth inning was on a RBI double by Waters to score Catlette.

Ohio sealed the win with three runs in the seventh inning. Szalejko led the inning off with a walk and later scored on a RBI single by Rodriguez. Petrich singled at bat and later scored on a pitching error. Rodriguez scored Ohio's third run of the inning after Salvatore hit a ground ball.

Sauter gained the win for Ohio bringing her season record to 12-7. Sauter started the game and pitched 4.1 innings before relief pitcher Candace Saucedo (Ontario, Calif.) took over. Sauter struck out one batter while allowing just one run and four hits. Saucedo pitched 2.2 innings and allowed just one hit, one walk and three runs.

Ohio hosts a doubleheader with Marshall on Wednesday, April 18 at the Ohio Softball Field beginning at 1 p.m.