After being picked to win the Mid-American Conference East Division, Ohio's troubling start cannot be blamed on one specific dimension of its game; however, team defense is high on the list for coach Roanna Brazier.
The Bobcats (3-13-1, 0-6-1 MAC) have committed 34 errors this season, two of which were especially costly in two one-run losses to Miami last weekend.
Those two losses were part of a three-game RedHawk sweep that also signaled an end to some impressive offensive outputs.
Ohio outfielder Erin Chapman's 11-game hitting streak came to a close last Sunday against Miami. During her 11-game tear, she hit .556, with 8 runs batted in, eight walks, and was 7-of-7 stealing bases.
Chapman, a former walk-on, continues to lead the MAC in on-base percentage (.566) and slugging percentage (.810). She was also named MAC Player of the Week on March 17, after hitting a blistering .615.
Bobcats chasing home-run record
The Bobcats' team home-run streak also came to a halt against Miami. Ohio had hit home runs in nine consecutive games before it failed to a hit a homer in a 4-3 loss to the RedHawks.
Despite the end of the streak, the Bobcats are still on pace to break the single-season team home-run record. Ohio has hit 17 round-trippers in its first 17 games. The season-record high was set last year, when the Bobcats hit 23 home runs. Ohio has 15 regular-season games remaining.
Leading Ohio in home runs this year are infielder Crystal Turner (4), Chapman (3), and utility players Jenny Tisevich (3), Katie Davis (2) and Kiersten Scrima (2).
Davis, a freshman, does not seem to be feeling any first-year jitters at the plate. She is posting a .323 average and leads the team in runs scored with 11. Her power numbers are also in stride - two home runs, one triple and three doubles.
Ohio travels to Bowling Green today for a doubleheader starting at 2 p.m. in an attempt to secure its first MAC victory of the year and stop the 10-game winless streak.
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