April 30, 2006

Box Score

ATHENS, Ohio - The Ohio softball team managed only three hits against Northern Illinois in losing the home finale 4-0 here today at the Ohio Softball Field.

The Bobcats fall to 6-12 against Mid-American Conference opponents and 24-35 overall with the loss.

Ohio and Northern Illinois battled to a scoreless tie through the first four innings of play. The Huskies got on the board in the top of the fifth, scoring three runs on only one hit in the frame. Northern Illinois added an insurance run in the seventh inning to give the game its final margin.

The Bobcats threatened in the bottom of the sixth. Singles from Kristen Salvatore (Kirtland, Ohio) and Debbie Szalejko (Beavercreek, Ohio) and a walk of Marian Davis (Brighton, Mich.) loaded the bases with only one out. Husky pitcher Lindsey LaChiana, who held Ohio to five hits in the series, got the next two Bobcat batters to line out to kill the Ohio threat.

Candace Warden (Hagerstown, Md.) took the loss for the Bobcats despite a solid showing. She pitched all seven innings, allowing only one earned run on four hits while striking out six. Warden falls to 6-10 on the season.

With the home schedule now complete, the Bobcats will take to the road for the final week of the regular season. Ohio will play Dayton in a one-game series Wednesday at 5 p.m.