Through one weekend of Mid-American Conference play, coach Jodi Hermanek’s team is showing improvement coming off three consecutive wins.
Ohio (14-15, 3-1 MAC) recorded a split against Bowling Green Friday afternoon before sweeping Toledo in two games on Saturday and Sunday to open up its conference schedule last weekend.
The Bobcats outscored their opponents 24-9 in the four games, including a 15-1 rout against the Rockets Saturday afternoon. The team regards the beginning of MAC play as the second part of the season and a fresh start, as they focus their goals solely on winning.
“Out of our last three wins, they have all been team wins and that is a great sign as we are moving forward,” Hermanek said. “We had a statement win on Saturday, but that is just one game. We need to play with our ‘A’ game everyday.”
The Bobcats are hitting their stride in almost every aspect of the game at a crucial time, as the MAC is filled with parity. At the moment, three teams are tied for first place in the MAC East and the league has an overall combined record of 168-178.
With two players receiving MAC East accolades on Tuesday afternoon and a tie for the best record in the conference, the Bobcats are proving on paper that they will be a force to be reckoned with for the remainder of the season and can contend in the conference.
Catcher Lauren Gellerman was named MAC East player of the week as she drove in four runs, scored three times and also recorded a hit in all six games on Ohio’s recent home stand.
But Gellerman is not the only Bobcat who has been producing at the plate. The team has an overall batting average of .272 and is averaging just less than five runs per game.
“So far, I think all sides of the team are producing,” Hermanek said. “We are hitting, playing great defense and are staying in the game with our pitching. If we can continue to score about four runs every game, I think we can do good things in this conference.”
The other Bobcat to earn MAC East accolades was freshman pitcher Lauren McClary, who was named co-pitcher of the week. McClary has been a workhorse for the Ohio pitching staff as she tossed 27 innings in the six home games, earning three wins and a save while also striking out 32 batters.
“It feels great to be doing this well, already,” McClary said. “We have been working really hard all season and the outcomes this weekend were definitely a confidence booster.”
Aside from all-around team performances with a few standout players achieving awards, the Bobcats are also feeding off fast starts in games. Ohio is outscoring its opposition 43-22 in the first two innings this season and has a 12-3 record when leading after four innings.
Ohio is hopeful that its quick start in games and in the conference will be the key to success for the rest of the season.
After six games at home, the Bobcats will now begin their seventh multiple-game road trip of the year at Ball State Friday before heading to Miami and Marshall.
cl027410@ohiou.edu
