Errors Doom Ohio Softball Against NIU

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ATHENS, Ohio – Despite picture perfect weather, errors doomed the Ohio softball team’s (19-21, 13-8 MAC) day, dropping a doubleheader to Northern Illinois (13-22, 7-12 MAC) Saturday afternoon (April 23) at the Ohio Softball Field. 
 
GAME ONE: NIU 10, Ohio 7
Overall, Ohio scored seven runs on seven hits and committed six errors, while NIU scored 10 runs on 14 hits and committed two errors. 
 
Individually, fifth year Brooke Rice (Mason, Ohio) had two hits, a double, homerun, one RBI and two runs scored, while fifth year Allie Englant has two doubles, one RBI and one run scored. Sophomore Yasmine Logan (Pittsburgh, Pa.) added a homerun, three RBI and two runs scored, while sophomore Annalia Paoli (Point Marion, Pa.) added a hit and junior Sophia Bernard (Canton, Ohio) registered an RBI. 
 
The Bobcats struck first in the bottom of the first inning. With one out, Logan was hit by a pitch and then moved to second on a wild pitch. Graduate student Megan McMenemy (Westerville, Ohio) then drew a walk and then both runners advanced on an infield single from Paoli, loading the bases with one out. Bernard then came to the plate and was also hit by a pitch, scoring Logan and giving Ohio a 1-0 lead after one inning. 
 
NIU threatened in the top of the second. With one out, NIU loaded the bases. However, the Ohio defense was able to force an out at home and get the last batter of the inning to pop up to short to end the inning, keeping Ohio leading, 1-0. 
 
The Bobcats added on the bottom of the second inning. Rice led off with a double to right center. Freshman Lauren Yuhas (West Mifflin, Pa.) then drew a walk and bother runners advanced on a ground out. Still with one out Logan crushed a three-run homerun to center, putting the Bobcats up 4-0 after two innings. 
 
NIU cut the Ohio lead in half in the top of the third with a two-run homerun, cutting the score to 4-2 going into the bottom of the frame. NIU went on to cut the Ohio lead to one in the top of the fourth inning, scoring one run on two errors, cutting the lead to 4-3 going to the bottom of the fourth. 
 
The Bobcats got a run back in the bottom of the fourth inning, with one out, Englant doubled and then scored when Logan reached second on an error by the leftfielder, giving the Bobcats a 5-3 lead after four innings. 
 
The Bobcats added on in the bottom of the fifth inning on an RBI double from Englant that scored senior Caitlin Fogue (Columbia, Mo.), giving the Bobcats a 6-3 lead. 
 
NIU took the lead in the top of the sixth inning, scoring six runs on five hits and one error, taking a 9-6 lead going to the bottom of the inning. 
 
The Bobcats tried to get a run back in the bottom of the frame when Bernard doubled with two out, however, Ohio was unable to capitalize, sending the game to the seventh trailing 9-6. NIU added on in the top of the seventh on an error, taking a 10-6 lead to the bottom of the inning.
 
The Bobcats attempted to rally in the bottom of the seventh inning when Rice hit a one-out homerun to cut the NIU lead to 10-7. However, was unable to finish the rally, falling in game one. 
 
In the circle, senior Mackensie Kohl (Corona Del Mar, Calif.) pitched seven innings, allowing 10 runs, four earned on 14 hits, while walking two and striking out one. 
 
GAME TWO: NIU 10, Ohio 5
Overall, Ohio scored five runs on eight hits and committed four errors, while NIU scored 10 runs on 12 hits and committed one error. 
 
Individually, went 2-for-2 with two triples and one run scored, while Paoli went 2-for-4 with a homerun, two RBI and one run scored. Senior Caroline Spacek (Beaumont, Texas) added two hits and a run scored, while Logan had a double and three RBI. McMenemy added a double and a run scored, while Rice scored a run. 
 
NIU took an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning, scoring two runs on one hit and two Ohio errors. 
 
Ohio got a baserunner on in the bottom of the first when Englant was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning, however, she would be stranded at third, sending the game to the second with Ohio trailing 2-0. 
 
The Bobcats struck in the bottom of the third. With one out, Englant tripled and then scored on a sacrifice fly to cut the NIU lead to 2-1. McMenemy then reached second on an error by the leftfielder, then moments later, Paoli took a pitch and crushed it to center, giving Ohio a 3-2 lead going into the fourth inning. 
 
The Bobcats added on in the bottom of the fourth inning, loading the bases with two outs, allowing Logan to crush a double to left center, giving the Bobcats a 5-2 lead going into the fifth inning. NIU got a run back in the top of the fifth inning, scoring a run after a leadoff error and two sacrifice hits to cut the Ohio lead to 5-3 going into the bottom of the frame. 
 
NIU tied the game in the top of the sixth on a two-RBI single, knotting the game at 5-5. The Bobcats threatened to retake the lead in the bottom of the sixth inning with Englant reached on a triple. However, the Bobcats were unable to score, sending the game to the seventh inning tied at 5-5. 
 
NIU took the lead in the top of the seventh inning, scoring five runs to take a 10-5 lead. 
 
Ohio tried to rally in the bottom of the inning when McMenemy hit a leadoff double, however, they were unable to capitalize, dropping game two. 
 
In the circle, junior Kylie Coffelt (Beloit, Ohio) pitched seven innings, allowing 10 runs, five earned, on 12 hits, walked four and struck out one. 
 
UP NEXT
The Bobcats are back in action Sunday, April 24 when Ohio and NIU wrap up the three-game series. First pitch is set for Noon at the OSF. Sunday will also be Senior Day. 
 
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