Emily Wethington stepped the mound as if it was just another day of pitching for the Bobcats. One strikeout later, it became more than that.
During the first inning of the first game of a double-header against Marshall, Wethington recorded career strikeout No. 426, breaking Ohio’s all-time career record in the category. She ended the day with a total of 439 strikeouts, 14 more than the previous record set in 2008 by Michelle Sauter.
“It’s an honor. There are so many people, there are so many pitchers who have come through here and built records and to break one is just an honor,” Wethington said.
Ohio (6-6) went split the double-header, winning the first game, 5-2 and losing the second, 6-2. The Bobcats scored all five of their runs during the third inning of the opening contest. Lauren Gellerman homered to spark the rally.
Marshall answered with two runs during the fourth inning, but it wasn’t enough for a comeback.
“I was really proud of them (in the first game),” coach Jodi Hermanek said. “Marshall is a good team. They’re a team that is always going to stand head-to-head with anybody they’re on the field with and challenge them all the way through. We did a good job of putting the pressure on them, forcing them to make some defensive errors by hitting the ball hard and by putting the pressure on them with offense.”
When the Bobcats began the second game, something changed in both teams. Marshall came out strong scoring two runs during the second inning and four more during the third. Ohio answered in the third with two runs by Alexis Joseph and Erin Lashley. These were the only scores of the game.
The Bobcats struggled to prevent runners from advancing once on the bases as the ball was constantly in the dirt, where the catcher had a hard time handling it. They also struggled with getting runners on base and into scoring position, Hermanek said.
“Overall, 1-1 is a good day,” Wethington said. “We always do want to take 2 but there are situations where it just doesn’t play out in our favor. We played hard; we played how we play all the time. We played Ohio softball so I think that’s all we can ask.”
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