ATHENS, Ohio – Western Illinois struck for three runs over the final two innings, but was unable to overcome an early 4-0 deficit in a 4-3 loss to Ohio on Monday, March 7 at Ohio Softball Field.
"We showed a lot of heart today," said head coach Holly Van Vlymen. "Our players always play hard to the very end and that's something I was very happy to see today."
The Fighting Leathernecks (2-8) found themselves in an early 3-0 hole after the Bobcats (5-5) plated three runs on Lauren Gellerman's one-out double to left center in the first inning.
Ohio would score another run in the bottom of the second on a sacrifice fly to right to push its lead to 4-0 before Ashley Campbell settled in and silenced the Bobcat bats over the next two innings.
The Leathernecks would have runners on base in the first, second and fourth innings but were unable to push a run across. Ohio would threaten again when Campbell was chased from the circle after allowing back-to-back singles.
Hailey Bickford entered in relief and retired the next three batters to keep the deficit at four runs. Western Illinois would come to life in the top of the sixth to score two runs.
Nikki Marinec led off the inning with a walk before Beth Golitko's one-out double down the left field line gave the Leathernecks two runners in scoring position. Jamie Goss would take advantage of the opportunity with a two-run double to left center in the next at bat to make the score 4-2.
"I thought our hitters did a better job today of adjusting in each at bat," said Van Vlymen. "We moved Nikki to the leadoff spot and she had a very good day. Jamie really came through when we needed her to and she's been hitting the ball hard lately."
Emily Wethington would get out of the jam by fanning the final two batters of the inning to keep Ohio's lead at two entering the bottom of the sixth.
Bickford sat the Bobcats down in order in the sixth to give Western a chance to complete its comeback in the seventh. After Bickford struck out to start the inning, Erin Schlotfeldt came off the bench and belted a solo homer to right center to make it 4-3.
Western Illinois would have two more chances at the plate but Marinec and Kesley Michelini were each retired to end the game.
Campbell (2-3) suffered the loss after allowing four runs on six hits in 4.0 innings. Bickford tossed 2.0 scoreless innings in relief and did not allow a hit while recording one strikeout.
"Hailey did a great job in relief today," said Van Vlymen. "She looked really good coming out of the bullpen and was fantastic over those last two innings."
Wethington (3-2) allowed three runs on four hits in a complete-game victory. She walked four Leathernecks and struck out seven.
Goss led the Leathernecks with two RBI and was 1-for-2 at the dish. Golitko and Marinec each finished 1-for-3 with a run as Western was outhit six to four.
The Bobcats were paced by Gellerman's three RBI and two hits. Paige Kemezis (2-for-2) also picked up two hits and an RBI while scoring a run.
Western Illinois will return to action with a doubleheader against Oakland at 3 p.m. on Friday, March 11. The games will be the first home contests and Summit League games of the year for the Leathernecks.
