For the first time this season, Ohio completed a weekend with a losing record after winning just one of four games at this weekend’s Husky Classic in Seattle, Wash.
The Bobcats (13-6) began the weekend off to their best start since 1994 but were outscored by a cumulative score of 36-10, including a pair of games decided by at least nine runs. Ohio, however, has begun the season slugging the ball, as it has already hit 29 home runs — the program record is 47, which was set last season.
“It was designed to be a trip of tough competition,” Ohio coach Jodi Hermanek said. “I wish we could have come out with a better record, but we definitely learned a lot and can regroup this week in practice.”
Before the Husky Classic, senior catcher Lauren Gellerman and sophomore Kaylin Clarke led the Bobcats to a 7-4 win against Seattle on Thursday. Gellerman’s home run in the game was the 28th of her career — a new program record.
But Ohio’s offensive success did not carry into Friday, as the Bobcats mustered only eight hits, while scoring just two runs in a pair of losses. Yale and No. 18 Washington combined to outscore Ohio 24-2 on the first day of the tournament.
Saturday, the bats came back to life for Ohio. The Bobcats split the day to finish the weekend against Seattle and Bradley.
Both of the Bobcats’ wins in the last five games came against host Seattle, with the second meeting resulting in a 5-0 shutout. Sophomore pitcher Lauren McClary did not allow a hit for the first 6.1 innings pitched, and she also struck out three in the complete game.
“We can be proud of the two games we played against Seattle,” Hermanek said. “Offensively, we drove the ball really well in those two games and we were also able to rely heavily on our defense to back up good pitching.”
Bradley capitalized on Ohio pitching in the second game of the doubleheader. The Braves scored 11 runs in the first two innings and did not look back in the five-inning game shortened by run-rule.
Ohio took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first, but didn’t score again until the fifth inning, when the game was already decided.
Gellerman belted a pair of home runs on the day, giving her eight long balls this season, placing her second on the team behind senior designated hitter Caitlin Colvin.
“(Gellerman and Colvin) are two seniors that have had a lot of great at-bats already this season,” Hermanek said. “If they hit the long ball it’s a huge bonus, but they’ve really just been focusing on getting base hits.”
The Husky Classic was the final tournament Ohio will play in this season, as the Bobcats will play their first games in the Buckeye State on Wednesday at Dayton.
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