Ohio (10-5) has been dominant over the last two weeks. After a 1-4 start in the FAU Paradise Classic, where the team played many high-major teams, the Bobcats rattled off seven straight wins, dropping just one game before winning its last two.
Now, Ohio heads into the Governor’s Classic in Clarksville, Tennessee, where it will play four games against three different teams.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the event.
Series Information
Opponents: IUPUI, Indiana State, Saint Louis
Location: Clarksville, Tennessee
Times: Friday at 4:30 p.m., Saturday at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., Sunday at 11 a.m.
Game One: IUPUI
2024 Record (2-12)
Head Coach: Elizabeth Beirne (seventh season)
Statistical Leaders
Batting Average: Paige McPhearson (.421)
Hits: McPhearson (16)
Runs: Kendal Calvert (6)
Home Runs: Kinsey Pfieffer (3)
RBI: Pfieffer (12)
On-Base Percentage: McPhearson (.476)
Innings Pitched: Alexa Holman (39.1)
Shutouts: Holman (14)
ERA: Holman (5.16)
Notes:
While IUPUI’s offense consistently finds the ball on its swings, getting home has not been the same story. IUPUI has scored one or fewer runs in six of its 14 games and has just 33 runs throughout the season, eight of which coming in its most recent matchup against Toledo, where they completed an 8-0 shutout. On the other side, IUPUI’s pitching has been inconsistent. The Jaguars only play two pitchers, and neither has found much consistency throughout the season.
Games Two and Four: Indiana State
2024 Record: 8-6
Head Coach: Mike Perniciaro (sixth season)
Statistical Leaders
Batting Average: Kennedy Shade (.405)
Hits: Abi Chipps (17)
Runs: Danielle Henning (12)
Home Runs: Isabella Henning (2)
RBI: Shade (16)
On-Base Percentage: Shade (.522)
Innings Pitched: Lauren Sackett (30.1)
Shutouts: Sackett (24)
ERA: Megan Asher (1.37)
Notes:
Indiana State is coming into the Governor’s Classic, having had a relatively successful season. Having gone 32-25 last season, the Sycamores’ 8-6 record puts it right on pace to finish with the same level of strength. Indiana State has a plethora of strong players who can do damage at bat, and their top two pitchers, Asher and Sackett, will likely prove to be an issue for Ohio’s offense.
Game Three: Saint Louis
2024 Record: 6-4
Head Coach: Christy Connoyer (14th season)
Statistical Leaders
Batting Average: Cami Newbanks (.542)
Hits: Abby Ulsas (16)
Runs: Three players (10)
Home Runs: Three players (2)
RBI: Newbanks (12)
On-Base Percentage: Newbanks (.647)
Innings Pitched: Taylor Hochman (27.1)
Shutouts: Hochman (24)
ERA: Hochman (2.56)
Notes:
Saint Louis poses another strong threat to Ohio’s dominant stretch over the last two weeks. The Billikens are off to a strong start, two games over .500, and have been performing well both on the diamond and on the stat sheet. The depth Saint Louis has at the mound will likely give the Bobcats’ pitchers a challenge, while the plethora of pitchers they have utilized early in the season gives the Bobcats many looks to prepare for.
