Coming into its doubleheader against Akron (19-18, 6-6 Mid-American Conference), Ohio (25-10, 8-2 MAC) held a six-game winning streak in two-game days. That streak, however, was snapped at the hands of the Zips, as the Bobcats lost the series’ first game Friday.
Ohio was able to bounce back in a big way behind improved hitting and a stellar performance from sophomore pitcher Mikie Lieving, who came into the game in relief of Anna Wise and brought home a big win to avoid the sweep.
Game one
Ohio’s bats arrived in Akron ice cold, as it took the team three innings to notch a hit before freshman infielder Abby Kennelly delivered the first hit for the green and white, singling to center field.
Kennelly led off for Ohio in the third, which remained the only hit until the fifth inning. Although Ohio struggled early on offense, Akron scored on a throwing error from redshirt junior pitcher Skipp Miller.
Later in the fourth inning, the Zips added to their lead, scoring another 2 runs to give a solid cushion for sophomore pitcher Macy Walters, who made the start for the home team. Those 2 runs came off a two RBI single from freshman outfielder Andrea Day.
The fifth inning delivered the Bobcats’ first run as they played small ball, putting the ball in play and making Akron play sound defense in the field. The strategy worked, as junior outfielder Belle Hummel reached on an error which scored sophomore outfielder Izzie Wilson after a pair of singles from the offense.
Ohio fought back again the next inning, scoring another unearned run after senior outfielder CiCi Keidel advanced to second on a passed ball. Sophomore infielder Brenna Farmer singled to cut the deficit, bringing home Keidel.
Time ran out in the seventh, as Ohio left its only runner on base in scoring position, ending the game 3-2 after a pop-up from senior infielder Lauren Yuhas.
Game two
The second game of the day started eerily similar for both teams, as Ohio was cold in the batter's box again while Akron pounced, this time on freshman pitcher Anna Wise.
Akron scored a run in both of the first two innings, getting to Wise to the point Ohio coach Jenna Hall decided to pull the freshman in favor of sophomore Mikie Lieving.
The decision paid dividends for the Ohio team that needed a spark, as Lieving entered a tough situation in the second and gave up just 1 unearned run, keeping the score at 2-0 entering the third.
In that inning, Ohio was able to get a run back as Keidel was brought home for Ohio’s first run of the game on an RBI single from senior catcher Emma Hoffner.
When Lieving got the ball back in the third, she turned in a 1-2-3 inning after striking out the inning’s first batter and allowing her defense to turn a double play to end the inning.
The fourth inning was quiet for both teams, with no runs scored after Ohio left two on base after two hits. Lieving only allowed one base runner after walking the second batter of the inning.
The final three innings saw the Ohio offense take off, as it scored a total of 6 runs to secure a massive lead as Lieving allowed just 1 more run to Akron.
Ohio again turned to small ball to get the job done in the fifth inning, as two runners scored off an Akron error. In the sixth it was RBI singles from Hoffner and Kennelly, as well as a Keidel RBI double and a Brenna Farmer RBI single, that closed out the game for Ohio.
