Ohio’s put up some impressive numbers in its last four seasons. It has tallied well over 100 home runs, its had a winning percentage of above .600 and it has won a Mid-American Conference title.
But perhaps its most impressive number it owned was its largest: 1,100 days without being swept by a conference opponent.
Unfortunately for the Bobcats, their impressive three-year stretch ended at Central Michigan where they were swept for the first time in MAC play since the 2015-16 season.
Friday
In its 7-3 loss, the Bobcats (25-15, 6-5 MAC) consistent pitching and powerful offense were both missing.
Sophomore pitcher Madi McCrady was only in the game for 3.1 innings as the Chippewas scored six runs on eight hits. McCrady was relieved by junior Kendall Meeks who allowed one run on two hits. The Bobcats’ pitchers combined for only two strike outs.
Offensively, Ohio went missing as it usually can count on its powerful hitters to generate runs. That offense went missing as only Morgan Geno, Alex Day and Deanna Cole had hits for the Bobcats in the team’s 25 at-bats.
Cole’s three-run home run was one of the Bobcats’ lone bright spots in the loss as it gave them their only lead of the game.
Saturday
The Bobcats’ doubleheader, a 6-3 and a 7-4 pair of losses, were both marked by the same faults in Friday’s game.
Again in the circle for Ohio was McCrady, who through five full innings of Game One only let in two runs, as it led Central Michigan 3-2 until a collapse in the sixth. Two RBI doubles paved the way for Central Michigan’s comeback in Game One and once again McCrady was relieved by Meeks.
The Bobcats’ offense in Game One came off the bat of senior Morgan Geno who had an RBI single in the first inning and a two-run home run in the sixth.
Game Two saw freshman Mackensie Kohl made her 13th start as a Bobcat and it was a quick exit. She was only in the game for 2 1/3 innings after she had five runs scored on just three hits. Meeks once again made an appearance for Ohio as she finished out the game, giving up two runs on two hits.
Of its four runs, only one of Ohio’s were earned as sophomore Katie Yun doubled to right field in the third inning, which sent Allie Englant home.
What’s next
Ohio will resume conference play as it returns home for the first time since March 30, as it will host Kent State on April 10. The Bobcats will be on the road this coming weekend as they will travel to Akron for a MAC weekend series.
