Ohio split its second series of the season this weekend, going 2-2 at the Hilltopper Spring Fling in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
After going 1-4 at the Cardinal Classic the previous weekend, the Bobcats got off to a roaring start, crushing Illinois State 16-4 Friday afternoon to kick off the weekend. They scored 11 runs in the first inning and never looked back.
Ohio was led by senior Caroline Spacek, who went 4-for-4 with a grand slam, a double and two singles.Ohio also got contributions from up and down the roster, as six different players drove in at least one run and 11 different players scored at least once.
Ohio played two games on Saturday after its first game against host Western Kentucky was moved.
The Bobcats struggled against the Hilltoppers Saturday and were only able to muster one run in a 7-1 loss. The one run, however, came on a Spacek home run in the third inning as she continued her strong weekend performance.
Ohio fared better in its second Saturday game, a walk-off 4-3 win over Dayton. Fifth-year Megan McMenemy drew a bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the seventh to guarantee Ohio at least a split at the Spring Fling.
A big part of Ohio’s win was senior Mackensie Kohl, who pitched all seven innings and held Dayton to three runs on five hits and struck out seven.
The Bobcats’ weekend ended with another loss to the Hilltoppers, but this one was much closer.
Ohio trailed 4-0 after two innings, but fought back in the third and cut the lead to 4-3. Its comeback fell short, however, as Western Kentucky went up 5-3 in the fifth, and Ohio was unable to recover.
Ohio will be back in action next weekend at the Bulldog Classic in Athens, GA.
