Ohio Softball Drops Rain Filled Series Finale at Ball State

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MUNCIE, Ind. –  The Ohio softball team (15-18, 9-5 MAC) returned to action Monday morning, falling to Ball State (13-21, 5-5 MAC), 5-4, in the series finale. 
 
Overall, Ohio scored four runs on nine hits and did not commit an error, while Ball State scored five runs on 10 hits and committed one error. 
 
Individually, sophomore Yasmine Logan (Pittsburgh, Pa.) went 2-for-4 with a run scored, while senior Caroline Spacek (Beaumont, Texas) went 1-for-4 with a double, two RBI and a run scored. Sophomore Annalia Paoli (Point Marion, Pa.) went 2-for-3 with a run scored and an RBI, while fifth year Brooke Rice (Mason, Ohio) added two hits. Fifth year Allie Englant (Long Beach, Calif.) added a hit and a run score, while junior Sophia Bernard (Canton, Ohio) had one hit and one RBI. 
 
The Bobcats struck early in the top of the first inning. After Englant drew a walk to lead off the inning, Logan singled to left, putting runners on first and second with no outs. With one out, Paoli reached first on a fielder’s choice, placing runners in first and third. The next batter, Spacek, took the first pitch that she saw and roped it to left center for a double, scoring Englant and Paoli, giving Ohio a 2-0 lead. Moments later, Bernard recorded an RBI single of her own, scoring Spacek, giving the Bobcats a 3-0 lead going into the bottom of the first inning. 
 
The Cardinals threatened in the bottom of the frame, opening the inning on a first pitch leadoff double. However, starting pitcher Mackensie Kohl (Corona Del Mar, Calif.) got the next two batters to fly out. After a two-out single out runners on first and third, the Ohio defense was able to force an inning-ending ground out, holding the Bobcats’ 3-0 lead. 
 
The Bobcats added on in the top of the third inning when Logan reached on a leadoff single. She then scored two batters later when Paoli singled to left, allowing Logan to score, giving Ohio a 4-0 lead. Ball State cut the Ohio lead in half in the bottom of the third innings on a two-RBI double, cutting the Bobcats’ lead to 4-2 after three innings. 
 
Ball State tied the game in the bottom of the fourth inning on a two-out two-run homerun, knotting the game at 4-4 going into the fifth inning. 
 
After a two-hour weather delay, the Bobcats and Ball State resumed play with Englant leading the inning off with a single. She then stole second and moved to third on a ground out, however, Ohio was unable to capitalize, sending the game to the bottom of the fifth with it still tied 4-4.  Ball State threatened to take the lead in the bottom of the frame, getting the first two runners on. However, after a pitching change, the Ohio defense retired the next three batters, sending the game to the sixth with it tied at 4-4.  
 
After a scoreless sixth inning, the Bobcats loaded the bases with no outs, however the Bobcats were unable to capitalize, sending the game to the bottom of the frame. Ball State struck in the bottom of the inning with a one-out walk off homerun, taking the final game of the series, 5-4. 
 
Overall, Kohl pitched four innings, allowing four runs on eight hits, walked two and struck out one. Senior Kylie Coffelt (Beloit, Ohio) pitched 2.1 innings, allowing one run on two hits, and struck out one. 
 
Up next, the Bobcats are back in Athens April 15-16 when Ohio hosts Central Michigan for a three-game series at the Ohio Softball Field.
 
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