Ohio (20-8, 3-0 Mid-American Conference) had an incredible start to MAC play with a three-game home sweep of Buffalo (5-20, 2-4 MAC). Ohio won all three games by a combined score of 24-2, with its pitching staff hurling a shutout in games one and two. Ohio coach Jenna Hall stressed to her team before the game how important it was to prepare for their first MAC opponent.
"We prepare and watch film and see what their pitching staff has and what we can match up with, and spend a lot of time in preparation, especially when you get to the MAC season," Hall said. "I think preparation is how we get to a place where we feel like we can be successful offensively."
It wasn't just the offense that saw immense success for the Bobcats, as their pitching and fielding were excellent in the series. The defense was able to hold Buffalo scoreless for the first two games Friday and only allowed 2 runs in the third game.
"I think our pitching staff is honestly one of the top in the MAC," Ohio infielder Lauren Yuhas said. "I think that's where we differentiate against other teams. We can go at anybody."
Ohio was able to carry momentum from game to game, with the peak being a 5 run inning in the third game. Ohio went up to bat in the bottom of the first and had multiple big hits from players that allowed them to get those runs on the board, which propelled the team to win the last game despite only scoring 1 run after the first.
"We carried it just by staying together and leaning on one another,“ Yuhas said. "We typically do better when we're staying loose and having fun.”
With this momentum from the big wins and shutouts against Buffalo, Ohio will look to carry it into its next games as MAC play ramps up.
“We’ll just stay within ourselves, and I think being consistent is who we are,“ Yuhas said. "We don’t want to continue to ride the wave; just try to stay level.”
The series against Buffalo proved Ohio can win games in many different ways. Whether its a close game or a blowout, the Bobcats have shown they can pull off the win.
“We play so many games in the regular season and it’s going to look different every time you step on the field," Hall said. "I think it's allowed us to understand what it takes to win a close game, what it takes to win an offensive slugfest and also a pitcher’s duel."
