April 18, 2006

Box Score

HUNTINGTON, W. Va. - The Ohio softball team dropped both games of a doubleheader in renewing an old rivalry with former Mid-American Conference member Marshall. The Bobcats lost the first game 5-1 and the second contest 9-8.

Ohio gained the early advantage in the opening game of the twin bill with a single tally in the top of the second. After the first two Ohio batters were retired, Kelly Rodriguez (Miami, Fla.) connected for a solo home run, her first long ball of the year, to put the Bobcats up 1-0. But that would be all the Ohio offense could muster against the Herd.

Marshall countered with four runs in its half of the second inning to gain a 4-1 edge it would not relinquish. The Herd added another run in the third frame to give the game its deciding 5-1 margin.

MIchelle Sauter (Chehalis, Wash.) took the loss for the Bobcats, allowing five runs, only one earned, on five hits over three innings. Katlyn Mallette (Taunton, Mass.) threw three scoreless inning in relief, striking out three batters while walking none.

The Bobcat offense busted out in the second game, scoring its most runs in nearly a month. Ohio's eight runs against Marshall are its most since its 8-0 defeat of Vermont March 20.

Ohio scored all eight of its runs in only two innings starting with three tallies in the top of the first. Debbie Szalejko (Beavercreek, Ohio) singled to lead off the game and stole second. Marian Davis (Brighton, Mich.) followed with a single up the middle to put runners on the corners.

After Davis swiped second to put two runners in scoring position, Rodriguez singled to left center to score Szalejko and give the Bobcats a 1-0 lead. One out later, Robin Miller (Chagrin Falls, Ohio) was intentionally walked to load the bases. Amanda Sacks (Chugiak, Alaska) followed with a single up the middle to score two runs and give Ohio an early 3-0 lead.

The Herd scored single runs in the first and second innings to close to within one run but the Bobcats countered with five runs in the top of the third. With the bases loaded and no outs, Maghan Lunsford (Centerville, Ohio) singled to center to score Miller. With the bases still loaded, Emily Futscher (Cincinnati, Ohio) flew out the left field and Maureen McKelvey (Stow, Ohio) attempted to turn the fly out into a sacrifice fly but was thrown out at home.

With runners now on second and third, Szalejko was intentionally walked to reload the bases. After Davis was hit by a pitch to force a run home, Rodriguez cleared the bases with a double to left-center to give the Bobcats an 8-2 advantage. The Ohio pitching staff was unable to hold the lead, though.

Marshall scored two runs in the third and fourth innings and one run in the fifth and sixth frames to even the game at eight heading into the seventh inning. The Bobcats put two runners on in their half of the frame but were unable to score. In the bottom of the seventh, the Herd put runners on second and third with one out and Deanna Tourville singled through the left side to give Marshall the win and the sweep of the doubleheader.

All four of Ohio's active pitchers saw action in the game with Natalie Armstrong (Murrysville, Pa.) taking the loss. She pitched 1 1/3 innings, surrendering one run on two hits while walking two batters.

Candace Warden (Hagerstown, Md.) started the game for Ohio and allowed four runs on three hits and six walks in 2 2/3 innings of work. Mallette threw one frame, giving up two unearned runs on four hits, and Sauter pitched 1 1/3 innings, allowing two earned runs on four hits.

Davis and Rodriguez led the Bobcat attack with three hits each. Davis went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and one run batted in while Rodriguez went 3-for-5 with one run scored and a career-high four RBI. Sacks and Futscher each collected two hits for the Bobcats. Ohio's 13 hits as a team tied for its second most of the year.

The Bobcats fall to 22-26 on the year with the losses.

Ohio will return home to play Indiana tomorrow at 4 p.m. The Bobcats will follow with a doubleheader Thursday versus Cleveland State.