FARMVILLE, Va. ? The Ohio softball team went 2-1 on the first day of the Lancer Invitational Tuesday in Farmville, Virginia. The Bobcats recorded a 9-0 win over the University of Maryland Eastern Shore to start the day, then dropped a 2-0 decision to UNC Greensboro before capping off the day with a 3-1 victory over host Longwood.

Ohio 9, UMES 0
The Bobcats tallied four of it nine runs in the first inning. After the Hawks got two quick outs, Shannon Weidner singled up the middle to get Ohio going. Jenny Tisevich then singled down the left field line moving Weidner into scoring position on second base. Emily Futscher singled to right field and then all runners advanced an extra base due to an error by UMES shortstop, bringing Weidner home for Ohio?s first run. Robin Miller, known for her power hitting, tripled down the right field line to bring in Futscher and Tisevich. Cathy Walters drew a walk to get two on for the Bobcats, bringing up Kelly Barnhart, who drove in Miller with a single down the left field line.

Ohio started the second inning with the top of the batting order. Debbie Szalejko reached first with a single to third base and then proceeded to steal second. A wild pitch would result in Szalejko taking third, and a double by Weidner would bring her home to give the Bobcats a 5-0 lead. Futscher would reach first due to an error by the second baseman, scoring Weidner.

The Bobcats would put another run on the board in the third. With bases loaded the Hawks allowed Szalejko to reach first on a fielder?s choice while stopping the lead off runner, Walters, at home, but an error by the catcher resulted in Barnhart scoring.

Ohio added two more runs and held the Hawks scoreless in the fifth to end the game early. Again the Bobcats loaded the bases, this time Weidner reached on a fielder?s choice as UMES stopped Amanda Sacks at home. The first run came as Szalejko scored off a wild pitch. Alicia Catlette then loaded the bases again drawing a walk, and Nikki Brooks drew another walk bringing in the ninth and final run.

UNCG 2, Ohio 0
In a pitchers duel, the Bobcats held UNC Greensboro to five hits, but runs in the second and fourth proved all that the Spartans would need for the win. Ohio recorded seven hits, including a double by Tisevich.

Ohio 3, Longwood 1
The Bobcats got on the board first, with Tisevich leading off the second inning with a single to left field. Miller moved Tisevich to second base with a sacrifice bunt. A double by Marian Davis to center field would score Tisevich. Pitcher Zoe Heim then singled to third base but an error by the Lancer?s catcher allowed Davis to score to give Ohio an early 2-0 lead.

Longwood made it a one run game in the bottom of the third, as Ryan Washington reached first on an error by Maureen McKelvey at shortstop. As Shamana Washington struck out swinging, Ryan Washington stole second to put herself in scoring position and would score off a single to center field by Jen Steele on the next at bat.

The Bobcats added an insurance run in the seventh. After two outs, Davis drew a walk, and Walters, who pinch hit for Heim, singled to left field, moving Davis around to second. McKelvey singled to shortstop scoring Davis, the final run of the game.

Ohio wraps up the round robin Lancer Invitational tomorrow morning at 9 a.m., with a game versus Longwood. The contest is also the last of ten-straight for the Bobcats, who will continue on the road with a trip to Kalamazoo, Michigan, where they will open Mid-American Conference play versus Western Michigan on Friday.