Oct. 2, 2011

ATHENS, Ohio- Ohio Softball began its fall season with a doubleheader against the visiting Marshall Thundering Herd on Sunday. The Bobcats dropped both contests of the afternoon, losing a very close 2-1 decision in the first game before being bested in a 9-5 slugfest later in the day.

Alexis Joseph had a strong day for the Bobcats, accumulating three hits throughout the two games. The senior collected one hit in the first game of the day and two in the second. Dakota Pyles (Galloway, Ohio) also proved to be a very bright spot for the Hunter Green and White, knocking in two runs in the second game.

Ohio looked very strong defensively throughout both games of the doubleheader, only committing one error in 14 innings of play.

In the first game of the doubleheader, Ohio lost a pitcher’s duel by a final score of 2-1. The ‘Cats leapt out to a 1-0 lead in the third inning when Lauren Gellerman (San Diego, Calif.) hit a sacrifice fly to drive in Jillian Van Wagnen (Loain, Ohio) from third base. Van Wagnen started the inning by hitting a single and advancing to third when Joseph (Alvin, Texas) hit a single of her own.

Marshall was able to answer back in the top of the sixth inning, scoring two runs on an RBI double by Rebecca Gamby and an RBI single by Alysia Hively. Andi Williamson pitched a complete game for the Thundering Herd, allowing only one run on four hits.

The second game of the day took a decidedly different path, as the two teams combined for seven runs in the first inning alone. After Marshall had taken an early 2-0 lead, the Bobcats bounced back well by scoring five of their own in the bottom of the first inning. Alexandria Basquez (Elk Grove, Calif.) hit a one-out single to bring in Joseph, which was immediately followed by a Adrienne Gebele (Annapolis, Md.) sacrifice fly. Kaylin Clarke (North Royalton, Ohio) singled to drive in another run before Pyles slammed a double, bringing in two more runs.

Marshall added two more runs to its total in the top of the third inning when Bri Anna Hope hit a home run to centerfield. The Thundering Herd then took the lead in the top of the fourth, scoring three runs to take a two-run lead at 7-5.

The Bobcats threatened a few times throughout the rest of the game but were unable to put any more runs on the board. Marshall was able to add two more runs in the final three innings, one of which came on Hope’s second home run of the day.

Ohio Softball will next be in action when the team travels to Columbus to compete in the Ohio State Charity Classic on Oct. 8 and 9. During the two-day tournament, the Bobcats will face in-state foes Dayton, Wright State, Ohio State and Youngstown State.