AKRON, Ohio – The Ohio softball team fell in both games of its series finishing doubleheader against Akron on Monday, falling 3-2 in eight innings in game one and 8-3 in the nightcap. Senior Erin Chapman (Beavercreek) went 3-for-5 with three RBI in both contests, including a two-run home run in game two.

The first game of the doubleheader was the conclusion of game two of Saturday’s twinbill that was postponed after five innings due to rain with the score tied 2-2.

Before the rains came on Saturday, Ohio (18-27, 11-9) took a 1-0 lead in the fourth when Chapman doubled to right center and scored on a wild pitch. Akron (24-13, 8-12) responded in the bottom half of the inning with two runs of its own when Aaren Mcbride tripled to center field to score Kerry Omerza and Kelly Quigley. The Bobcats tied the game in the fifth as senior Kiersten Scrima (Olympia, Wash.) doubled to left, scoring freshman pinch runner Debbie Szalejko (Beavercreek).

When play resumed, neither side scored in regulation to send the game into extra innings. The Zips ended the contest in the eighth as Sara Zilles singled to center, scoring Rachel Kraus on the play.

In game two, Ohio took a 2-0 lead in the first when Chapman hit her team-leading six home run to right field, scoring senior Sarah Melvin (Loveland), who had singled to get on base.

Akron exploded for four runs in the second, as Megan McKenzie doubled to center field, scoring Kraus and Paige Smith for the first two runs of the inning. The Zips added their third run on the next batter as Amy Gardner hit an infield single to score Stephanie Conrad. Amy Pedro scored on an error by Melvin two batters later for the fourth and final tally of the inning.

The Zips added four runs to their lead in the fourth, as Quigley singled to score Gardner and Omerza doubled to center to bring home Quigley, Zilles and Becky Stern.

Chapman added her third RBI of afternoon in the top of the seventh, as she singled to center to score Melvin. That would be all the Bobcats would get, as Akron pitcher Tina McCauley caused sophomore Robin Miller (Chagrin Falls) to fly out to the shortstop to end the game.

Freshman Katlyn Mallette (Taunton, Mass.) got the start in game one and went 3.2 innings, allowing two runs on two hits. Classmate Natalie Armstrong (Murrysville, Pa.) went the rest of the way, going 3.2 innings while giving up one run on two hits for her sixth lost of the season. In game two, junior Kerri Harley (Hickory Hills, Ill.) pitched the first inning, surrendering three runs on no hits and two walks. Mallette came in relief of Harley and went one-third of an inning, allowing a run on two hits. Armstrong pitched the next 3.1 innings and gave up four runs on six hits and one walk. Sophomore Candy Warden (Fredrick, Md.) went the final 1.1 innings and kept the Zips from registering a hit.

Ohio completes its seven-game road trip on Wednesday when it travels to Ypsilanti, Mich., to take on Eastern Michigan for a midweek doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.