Zips take two of three from Ohio

By Bill Bender
THE POST

It's been a hard-knock life for the Ohio softball team.

The Bobcats (6-16, 1-2 in the Mid-American Conference) lost two of three games this weekend at Akron (14-11, 2-1 in the MAC). Ohio Head Coach Roanna Brazier said despite the losses, the team improved in the series.

"We played much better, especially defensively," Brazier said. "We had a couple of heartbreaking losses, but we just have to keep after it."

Akron took both games of a Saturday doubleheader. Ohio rallied but fell short in an 11-inning loss in the first game. Akron jumped out 5-0 in the third inning following a three-run home run by first baseman Rianne Hess. The Bobcats battled back, however, knotting the score at five after seven innings. The score remained tied until Akron's Kerstin Sewell hit an RBI single in the bottom of the 11th.

Ohio shortstop Crystal Turner led the Bobcats, going 3-for-6 with an RBI double. Center fielder Sara Kraus, third baseman Kelli Bankert, and first baseman Jennifer Schmidt added two hits apiece. Turner said the team played well despite the loss.

"We fought hard for 11 innings," Turner said. "We played great defensively, but we still need to work on a couple of things."

The Zips used an RBI single by center fielder Jamie Zwisler in the bottom of the sixth inning to slip by Ohio 3-2 in the second game of the day. The Bobcats scattered seven hits in the loss, including doubles by Kraus and catcher Jen Sewell. Kraus and designated hitter Lyndsay Eirich each had an RBI for Ohio. Sewell said the two teams were evenly matched.

"We weren't outplayed," Sewell said. "We went back and forth, and one pitch made the difference."

In the first game of the series, on Friday, the Bobcats prevailed 1-0. Pitcher Kasey Dowd hurled a four-hit complete game shutout for Ohio. Dowd (2-9) whiffed four batters while walking two. Bankert led the offensive attack, hitting 2-for-4 and scoring the game's only run in the top of the ninth inning.

Brazier said she was pleased with Dowd's pitching. "Kasey set high expectations for herself early in the season and she has been struggling," she said. "But she had an outstanding performance in the win.

Turner said the team played well as a group in the win.

"It was a great win," she said. "We played great together, and all of us worked towards a common goal."

Ohio plays its first home games of the season Tuesday against Penn State. The Bobcats won their first seven home games in 1999.

"We've been on the road a lot this season," Brazier said. "We're definitely looking forward to having a home stretch."

The games with Penn State begin 2 p.m. Tuesday at The Ohio Softball Field.