At the end of the day, splitting a doubleheader is one step forward and one step back.

The Ohio softball team split two doubleheaders this weekend. On Friday, the Bobcats lost 8-2 to Central Michigan in the first game but rebounded to take the second game 4-2. On Saturday, they beat Eastern Michigan 9-2 but lost the second game 6-3.

Ohio (23-26 overall, 11-6 in the Mid-American Conference) is in first place in the East Division and needs to finish among the top three teams in the East to qualify for the MAC Tournament.

"We played tough," center fielder Missy Samus said. "I wish we could have taken both doubleheaders. Coach (Roanna Brazier) was happy with the way we played."

On Friday, Central Michigan stopped Ohio pitcher Kasey Dowd's nine-game winning streak and unbeaten conference record by knocking out 13 hits. Chippewa pitcher Tina Kinney limited Ohio to two seventh-inning runs and helped her own cause with three hits and three RBIs.

The second game showcased the resiliency of this Ohio team and specifically pitcher Heather Hagen. After Ohio dropped game one of the doubleheader, Hagen gave up a two-out, two-run home run to Chippewa center fielder Eli Barnes in the first inning of game two.

Hagen never completely settled down, but the Chippewas never scored again. Hagen gave up 10 hits but coaxed Central into stranding 11 runners on base.

"I knew what that game meant to the team," Hagen said. "They haven't beaten them in a while. I knew what that game meant to the seniors and everyone. I wanted to win it very bad."

On Saturday, Dowd rebounded from Friday's loss to hold Eastern Michigan to two runs in the complete-game victory. She raised her record to 13-10.

"I haven't been performing up to my ability, but lately I have been coming around," Schmidt said. "I got a good shot in the Central Michigan game. It was a double, and I think it helped my confidence."

In the second game, Eastern Michigan busted open the game with four runs in the third inning. Designated hitter Lisa Beavers had an RBI double and pitcher Aimee Hamilton had an RBI single.

Tempers flared in the second game. In the third inning, Hamilton threw out Schmidt at home. Eagle catcher Kristen Zabalavicius took umbrage with the slide and conveyed her anger to Schmidt with some choice expletives.

"It was a squeeze play," Schmidt said. "Missy was going to bunt, so I just took off. Apparently, I slid into her and knocked her down pretty hard. I tried to show some class, so I just laughed in her face. She got even more mad, and it got pretty heated. It was an ugly situation."