Ohio Softball Picks Up Senior Day Victory

On Apr 25, 2022

FOLLOW OHIO SOFTBALL: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

ATHENS, Ohio – The Ohio softball team (20-21, 13-8 MAC) returned to action Sunday afternoon, rebounding on Senior Day by defeating Northern Illinois (13-23, 7-13 MAC), 9-4, at the Ohio Softball Field.

Before the game, seniors Caroline Spacek (Beaumont, Texas), Tori Walker (Plain City, Ohio), Caitlin Fogue (Columbia, Mo.) and Mackensie Kohl (Corona Del Mar, Calif.) were honored for their time in the Green and White,

Overall, Ohio scored nine runs on 12 hits and committed one error, while NIU scored four runs on seven hits and committed one error.

Individually, Spacek went 3-for-4 with a homerun, two RBI and two runs scored, while Fogue went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and fifth year Brooke Rice (Mason, Ohio) also added two hits, a double, three RBI and a run scored. Freshman Lauren Yuhas (West Mifflin, Pa.) went 2-for-3 with a double, RBI and three runs scored, while junior Sophia Bernard (Canton, Ohio) registered a hit and two runs scored. Sophomore Yasmine Logan (Pittsburgh, Pa.) added a double, while fifth year Allie Englant (Long Beach, Calif.) has a hit and two RBI.

After NIU stranded two runners in the top of the first, Ohio got the leadoff batter on in the bottom of the first when Englant drew a leadoff walk. However, the Bobcats were unable to score, sending the game to the second still scoreless.

The Bobcats struck in the bottom of the fourth inning. After Bernard led off with a walk, Spacek reached first in a single. Moments later Fogue reached on an infield bunt, loading the bases with no outs. Then Rice took a pitch and cranked it to right center for a double, clearing the bases and putting Ohio up 3-0. After Rice moved to third on a fly out, she then scored on an RBI single from Engalnt, giving Ohio a 4-0 lead after two innings.

Ohio added on in the bottom of the third inning. After Bernard reached first on a long single to left center, Spacek came to the plate and crushed a two-run homerun to left, giving Ohio a 6-0 lead after three innings. NIU got on the board in the top of the fourth inning, scoring two runs on four hits, cutting the Ohio lead to 6-2 going to the bottom of the fourth inning.

Ohio threatened to blow the game open in the bottom of the fourth inning. After Yuhas reached first on a single, she then moved to second on a fly ball. She then advanced to third when Logan on an error. Moments later, Yuhas scored when Logan stole second, giving Ohio a 7-2. The Bobcats would go on to load the bases, however, Ohio would be unable to add on, sending the game to the fifth with Ohio leading by five.

The Bobcats added on in the bottom of the fifth inning. Fogue led the inning off with a single ad then moved to third on a single by Rice. She then scored on a double from Yuhas. Yuhas then moved to third on a wild pitch and then scored on a sacrifice fly, giving Ohio a 9-3 lead going into the top of the sixth inning.

NIU got two runs back in the top of the sixth inning on a two-run homerun to cut the Ohio lead to 9-4 going to the bottom of the sixth inning. Ohio tried to add on in the bottom of the frame, getting runners on first and second with two outs, however, the Bobcats were unable to capitalize, sending the game to the seventh inning with Ohio leading, 9-4.

The Huskies came to the plate in the top of the seventh inning and the Bobcats’ defense was able to send NIU down in order, sealing the 9-4 win.

In the circle, Kohl pitched seven innings, allowing four runs, two earned, on seven hits, walked three and struck out three.

The Bobcats will be off this week and will return to action May 3-4 when they head to Toledo for a matchup with the Rockets.

#OUohyeah