March 19, 2010

ATHENS, Ohio - Wrapping up its homestand and looking to rid itself of the bitter taste of recent losses, Ohio softball welcomes the Bulldogs of Butler to Ohio softball field for a Saturday afternoon doubleheader. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.

Saturday's doubleheader will mark the first-ever meeting between the `Cats and Bulldogs and the first-ever matchup with Ohio head coach Jodi Hermanek and Butler.

Ohio (4-15) is looking to get a couple more in the win column after coming off a tough stretch of games recently. The `Cats dropped a high-scoring twinbill to Morehead State last weekend after coming up short in four games at the Tennessee Classic. Ohio has faced its share of tough competition recently with three of its last six games coming against teams ranked in the top 20 in the country.

Butler enters the weekend with a 14-3 mark on the season after splitting a doubleheader with Morehead State on Tuesday of this week. The Bulldogs were riding a huge 12-game winning streak coming into the week. Senior Annie Dolan led Butler with two hits against the Eagles earlier in the week. Butler is coached by Jeanne Rayman in her fourth season at the helm of the program.

Paige Kemezis (Hackensack, N.J.) led the Green and White last weekend, hitting .600 with three doubles and five RBI to pace Ohio. Senior Shalene Petrich (Chehalis, Wash.) paces the `Cats on the season with a .349 clip and 22 hits, including an 11-game hit streak coming into the weekend. Jordan Paden (Walla Walla, Wash.) has been swinging a strong bat as well recently, ranking second on the team in hitting and knocking the first two homers of her career. Freshman Caitlin Colvin (Bonney Lake, Wash.) and Emily Wethington (New Palestine, Ind.) lead Ohio with three homers apiece, while Colvin paces the squad with 13 RBI on the season.

Live stats and a recap of the day's action with the Bulldogs will be available at OhioBobcats.com.