RALEIGH ? The Ohio softball team picked up a 12-0 victory over Central Connecticut State University in five innings this morning at the Walnut Creek Softball Complex in Raleigh, N.C. Candy Warden and Katlyn Mallette combined for the shutout and Jenny Tisevich hit a three-run homerun to ensure the Bobcats ninth win of the season.

Ohio got off to a good start, putting up three runs in the first. Freshman Courtney Waters got the Bobcats? bats going, leading off with a single up the middle, she then proceeded to steal second to put her self in scoring position. Debbie Szalejko followed with a single to third base, the third baseman overthrew to first allowing Waters to score and Szalejko to move around to third.

Shannon Weidner walked to put runners on first and third bring up Jenny Tisevich, who reached first on a fielder?s choice, as Szalejko got caught in a pickle and was eventually forced out of the baseline for CCSU?s first out. Tisevich stole second on the second pitch to Emily Futscher, who would ground out to the shortstop. Robin Miller, batting in the six spot, doubled down the left field line, scoring Weidner and Tisevich. Warden then grounded out to third base to end the inning.

The scoring barrage would continue in the second, after Warden held the Blue Devils to one hit in the bottom of the first. Maghan Lunsford would be the first and last up, as the Bobcat lineup would force CCSU to relieve pitcher Danielle Cyr with Samantha Keltos, who would pitch the remainder of the game. Lunsford was walked to start the inning and then was moved around to second on a sacrifice bunt by Kelly Rodriguez. Kristen Salvatore would come in to pinch run for Lunsford and take third base on another sacrifice bunt this time by Waters. On the next at bat, Salvatore would score as Szalejko singled up the middle.

On the first pitch to Weidner, Szalejko stole second, for her second stolen base of the season. Weidner would again draw a walk bringing up Tisevich, who drove one deep over the fence in center field to clear the bases. But the Bobcats weren?t done. Futscher got on first after being walked and advanced to second when Miller singled to the shortstop. Warden doubled to left center field, scoring Futscher, and moving Miller around to third. Lunsford would cap the inning off as she flied out to right field.

Ohio?s defense continued to be stingy, only giving up one hit as Warden only had to face four batters in the second before the Bobcats continued to put runs up on the scoreboard. Danielle Kelley, who replaced Rodriguez in center field, singled down the left field line to lead off the top of the third inning. Waters stuck out swing, allowing Kelley to steal second, the first stolen base of her career. Szalejko then popped up to the first baseman, bringing up Amanda Sacks, who singled to center field, advancing Kelley to third. Tisevich drew a walk to load the bases with two out. Nikki Brooks, who entered the game for Futscher, singled to left field, scoring Kelley and Sacks, before Miller grounded out to second to end the inning.

After CCSU got two runners on base with a couple singles, Warden struck out three-straight to get out of the inning.

Ohio would put two more runs on the board in the fourth. Warden grounded out to third base and then Lunsford struck out swinging, before Kelley singled to the pitcher to bring up the top of the order. Waters drew a walk, putting two on with two outs bringing up Szalejko, who hit her first career triple to score Kelley and Waters. Sacks then grounded out to third to end the inning.

Mallette entered the game for Warden in the bottom of the fourth, giving up two hits and recording a strike out to end the inning. The two teams held each other scoreless in the fifth and final inning as Ohio improved to 9-13 overall with its second shut out of the season. Warden was credited with the win, improving to 3-0 in the circle.

The Bobcats are back in action tomorrow facing the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, UNC-Greensboro and Longwood, in the opening day of the Lancer Invitational. Game times are scheduled for 10:00 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 3:00 p.m., respectively. All games will take place at Lancer Field on the campus of Longwood University in Farmville, Va.