Coming into this season, Ohio was picked to finish first in the Mid-American Conference in the preseason coaches poll, and so far through 30 games, that prediction has been looking very accurate for the coaches of the MAC.
The Bobcats currently have the best overall record at 24-7 and the second-best record in the MAC at 7-1, as they just trail Miami (OH), a team that is so far undefeated in MAC play.
Ohio has looked good all season, but it is currently on an impressive heater, winning seven of its last eight since MAC play started.
One aspect of the softball schedule that Ohio has been especially dominating is the doubleheaders, as Ohio is 6-0 over its last three, including two games on Tuesday that saw Ohio win with a combined score of 10-3.
“For us, it's about having that confidence to start,” Ohio head coach Jenna Hall said about the success in doubleheaders. “I think once they know that they have the edge, that they really do a good job of holding on to it.”
One trend that lines up perfectly with the 6-0 stretch of games where Ohio played a doubleheader is the starting pitcher. Both Skipp Miller and Anna Wise have been on the mound for three games each over the 6-0 run.
In those games, they have given up a combined seven runs to go along with two shutouts. Miller and Wise have been huge parts of Ohio’s success during the entire season. Still, their recent run has been very special, and the MAC knows it, awarding Miller with the MAC Pitcher of the Week award after allowing just 2 runs on nine innings pitched.
After yet another pair of impressive performances from Wise, who threw a complete game allowing just 2 runs and striking out four, and Miller, who threw a complete game allowing just 1 run and striking out seven, Hall was very complimentary of their performances as of late.
“Skipps really, I think over the last month, really kind of turned a corner,” Hall said. “She's been so consistent. I know today, she wasn't as happy with the start of the game, but once she settled in and got into the fourth inning, she was pretty lights out...Anna, being a freshman, to be able to go the distance, continually over and over again like that (has been very impressive). She just has really, really good stuff. She's got the presence and the mindset on the mound like nothing really phases her and so that mentality really goes a long, long way.”
The mentality and mindset that Wise has as just a freshman is incredible to see and has resulted in some dominant results. So far this season, Wise has an ERA of just 2.05 while pitching the most innings on the team.
Credit has to be given to the Ohio offense as well, as during the hot streak of doubleheaders, the Ohio offense has put up a whopping 46 runs over six games, giving the likes of Miller and Wise the cushion they need to work stress-free on the mound.
When you combine the dominant starting pitching duo with an offense that is as consistent and explosive as the Bobcats’, you have a winning recipe that has been helping Ohio cook up wins all year.
