Ohio (20-8, 3-0 Mid-American Conference) completed a three-game sweep over Buffalo (5-20, 2-4 MAC), being the first three games the Bobcats have played in the MAC. The first two games were played back-to-back, and Ohio won 8-0 and 10-0 without having to play beyond the fifth inning.
Ohio scored 6 runs on six hits and committed two errors. Buffalo scored 2 runs on four hits while committing three errors. The key players for Ohio securing the victory were seniors Lauren Yuhas, CiCi Keidel and Maddie Wilcox, and freshmen Abby Kennelly and Sydney Young.
For the seniors, Keidel had one hit, one RBI and scored a run, while Wilcox also had one hit, two RBI and scored a run. Yuhas added a hit and was one of Ohio’s 6 runs scored.
As for the freshmen, Young added a double and two RBI, while Kennelly went two-for-two with an RBI and scored her own run.
In the circle, sophomore Mikie Lieving pitched first for the Bobcats. She pitched six innings in which she allowed 2 runs on four hits while allowing walking and striking out three. In the seventh, redshirt junior Skipp Miller did not allow a run or a hit, while walking one and striking out two of Buffalo’s hitters.
One of Ohio’s best qualities this season has been its pitching, which showed against Buffalo.
“I think our offense is big, but I think our pitching staff is honestly one of the top in the MAC,” Yuhas said.
Ohio came out swinging in the bottom of the first inning, scoring 5 runs compared to none from Buffalo. After Yuhas drew a walk to lead off the inning, she stole second base. Keidel then responded with an RBI single, finally putting Ohio on the board.
With the bases loaded up, a two-RBI from Wilcox put the Bobcats up 3-0. The final 2 runs were from Kennelly and Young.
In the top of the fourth inning, the Bulls looked to get on the board. They managed to get runners on first and third base, but with two outs, the Ohio defense didn’t allow a single run for the visiting team.
Buffalo managed to score in the top of the fifth inning, scoring on an RBI single. The score was 5-1 Ohio going into the bottom of the frame. The Bobcats scored a single run after Kennelly got to home plate on an RBI double from Young, giving Ohio a 6-1 lead.
The Bulls responded with their second and final run of the game in the top of the sixth, taking advantage of a two-out triple. In the bottom of the sixth, Ohio looked to add runners on first and third base. However, Buffalo was able to prevent Ohio from getting any more runs.
In the top of the seventh, Buffalo looked to rally, getting a runner on with two outs. On the mound, Miller was able to close the game with a strikeout, securing the 6-2 win.
