Ohio University

AKRON, OHIO - The No. 4 Ohio softball team (36-17) kicked off the MAC Softball Tournament Wednesday afternoon (May 6), defeating No. 5 Central Michigan (24-23), 9-3, at Firestone Stadium. 

Overall, Ohio scored nine runs on six hits, while not committing an error. Central Michigan scored three runs on five hits and one error. 

At the plate, sophomore catcher Jordyn Wycuff (Pataskala, Ohio) went 2-for-3 with a grand slam and four RBI. Junior infielder Brenna Farmer (Mt. Blanchard, Ohio) recorded one hit with three RBI, while senior infielder Colleen Bare (Pickerington, Ohio) had two walks and one RBI. Senior outfielder Belle Hummel (Cincinnati, Ohio) had one hit and scored a run, along with graduate student infielder Rylee McDaniel (Ventura, Calif). Junior outfielder Izzie Wilson (Delaware, Ohio) finished with one hit, one RBI and scored one run. 

In the circle, graduate student Skipp Miller (Bradford, Ohio) got the start and her 20th win of the season after throwing over six innings, while allowing three runs and five hits with seven strikeouts on the day. Senior Keegan Moore (South Point, Ohio) recorded the final out of the day for the Bobcats. 

In the top of the first, a lead-off hit would put a runner in scoring position for Central Michigan, and a home run two batters later would give the Chippewas a 2-0 lead. The Bobcats would respond by putting a runner on second in the bottom of the inning, but the Chippewa defense was able to get out of the inning unharmed, keeping their 2-0 lead. 

Central Michigan would put another run on the board after an RBI single. Miller was able to get out of the jam with two runners on to end the inning, sending Ohio to bat in the bottom of the third trailing, 3-0. 

Ohio started the bottom of the third hot with a leadoff single from McDaniel, followed by freshman outfielder Sena Smith (East Liverpool, Ohio) getting hit by a pitch. Moments later, Hummel walked, loading the bases for Ohio with zero outs, setting up Bare to draw a walk of her own to get Ohio on the board. 

The bases remained loaded for Farmer, who took advantage and crushed a bases-clearing double to give Ohio a one-run lead. Farmer would score after a fielder's choice off the bat of Wilson. The inning would end after Ohio put up five runs and batted around the order, taking a 5-3 lead into the fourth. 

Miller would follow the great offense with some great pitching, as she would force Central Michigan into a 1-2-3 top of the fourth, capped off by a great snag from senior infielder Shelby Westler (Marion, Ohio). 

In the bottom of the fifth, Ohio would get two runners in scoring position after a leadoff walk and a double from Wilson to put runners on second and third with no outs. After sophomore Sydney Young (Charleston, W. Va.) drew a walk, Wycuff would crush her first career grand slam to left field, giving the Bobcats a 9-3 lead. 

"To make that kind of damage in one swing always sets a tone," Ohio head coach Jenna Hall said. "You could feel the shift as it was happening."

Central Michigan would put runners on in the top of the sixth, but Miller would again exit the inning unscathed. 

Ohio would hold that 9-3 lead going into the top of the seventh, where Miller would record the first two outs before exiting the game for Moore. Moore needed just one pitch to end the game, forcing a lineout to center to close out the 9-3 win. 

Up next, Ohio will return to action tomorrow (May 7) to face top-seeded Akron in the second round of the MAC Softball Tournament. First pitch is set for Noon ET at Firestone Stadium and can be seen on ESPN+. 

#OUohyeah