Softball Splits Thursday Contests At Bluegrass Classic

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LEXINGTON, KY – The Ohio softball team (5-11) returned to action Thursday (March 10) at the Blueglass Classic. The Bobcats fell short in its first game of the day against Kentucky (17-2), 16-8 (5 innings), before defeating Eastern Kentucky (3-16), 7-2.

GAME ONE: Kentucky 16, Ohio 8 (5 Innings) 
 
Kentucky outhit the Bobcats, 16-5 in Ohio’s first game of the day. The Bobcats left three runners on base while the Wildcats only stranded one. 
 
Individually, senior Caroline Spacek (Beaumont, Texas) went 2-for-3 with a double, while Fifth year Allie Englant (Long Beach, Calif.) went 1-for-3 and recorded a single. Sophomore Annalia Paoli (Point Marion, PA) went 1-for-3 with a three-run home run with sophomore Yasmine Logan (Pittsburgh, PA) went 1-for-3 with two RBI and a two-run home run. 
 
Ohio’s offense did not waste any time in the top of the first inning. Englant hit a single up the middle to get the first hit of the game. Then fifth year Brooke Rice (Mason, Ohio) was walked to give Ohio two runners at first and second base. The Bobcats then got on the board first after Paoli hit a three-run homer to center field, giving Ohio a 3-0 lead.
 
The Wildcats offense took off in the bottom of the second inning after scoring nine runs on four hits. The frame was capped off with a three-run home run that gave Kentucky a 9-3 lead over Ohio heading into the top of the third. 
 
Ohio looked to be on the move offensively in the top of the third after Rice grounded out to third base allowing Spacek to score. However, the Bobcats were not able to capitalize and stranded one runner in the inning. 
 
Ohio’s defense kept Kentucky from adding to their lead in the bottom of the third, striking out two batters and giving up one hit. In the top of the fourth, the Bobcats were able to cut Kentucky’s lead to 3 after Logan hit a two-run homer to right center field. 
 
Kentucky fired back and increased their lead to 13 after scoring four runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. 
 
Ohio threatened in the next frame with Spacek scoring on a wild pitch and Paoli stealing home to bring the Bobcats within five runs. However, they were unable to stop the Wildcats in the bottom of the fifth as they added three more runs and sealed the 16-8 win for Kentucky. 
 
In the circle was senior Kylie Coffelt (Bradford, Ohio), who pitched four innings and allowed 16 runs on 16 hits in the loss.
 
GAME TWO: Ohio 7, Eastern Kentucky 2
 
Overall Ohio scored seven runs on nine hits and committed one error, while Eastern Kentucky scored two run on eight hits and committed four errors.
 
Individually, fifth year Allie Englant (Long Beach, Calif.) went 1-for-3 with sophomore Annalia Paoli (Point Marion, PA) and fifth year Megan McMenemy (Westerville, Ohio) both going 2-for-3 and recording doubles.
 
The Bobcats got right to work in the bottom of the first after Englant hit a single up the middle and then stole second putting her in scoring position. Spacek then hit a two-run homer to left to give Ohio its first lead of the game. Ohio added one additional run after Logan grounded out and advanced the runner at third home, increasing the lead to 3-0 going into the top of the second.
 
After a three scoreless innings, Eastern Kentucky scored its first run of the game in the top of the fourth off of a ground out to short stop. Then in the top of the fifth, EKU added another run off of a sacrifice fly that brought the game to a 3-2 score with Ohio on top.
 
The Bobcats answered in the bottom of the fifth with a double to left field from Rice that scored sophomore Emily Walker (Plain City, Ohio). Then a throwing error as Paoli stole second, allowed freshman Lauren Yuhas (West Mifflin, PA) to score from third and extend the lead to 5-2. To round out the inning, junior Sophia Bernard (Canton, Ohio) hit a single through the left side and sent Paoli to home plate, giving the Bobcats a 6-2 lead heading to the top of the sixth. 
 
After holding EKU from scoring in the top of the sixth, the Bobcats added a run to their lead in the next frame off a sacrifice fly by Spacek that sent Englant to home plate and put Ohio up by five.
 
The Ohio defense kept EKU from finding home in the top of the seventh, avoiding a comeback and giving the Bobcats the win.
 
In the circle, senior Mackensie Kohl (Corona Del Mar, Calif.) was credited the win as she pitched six innings and allowed two runs on seven hits. 

Up Next: 
The Bobcats will return to action as they take on Indiana on Friday afternoon (March 11) at 12 p.m. in the final day of the Blueglass Classic. 

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