ATHENS, Ohio -

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The Ohio softball team opened the Winthrop Adidas Invitational with two wins. The Bobcats defeated South Carolina State, 9-0, in game one and College of Charleston, 11-7, in game two.

Ohio tallied nine runs and 11 hits in game one that ended in just five innings. Debbie Szalejko (Beavercreek, Ohio) was 2-for-2 and Amanda Sacks (Chugiak, Alaska) went 2-for-3, including two runs.

Michelle Sauter (Chehalis, Wash.) started the game and pitched the first two innings while Candace Saucedo (Ontario, Calif.) pitched the last two innings. Sauter gained the win.

The Bobcats made a comeback in game two against College of Charleston. After being down 5-3, the `Cats scored five runs in the top of the sixth inning to take a commanding 8-6 lead, after the Cougars made two runs in its half of the inning. Ohio scored three more runs in the top of the seventh to capture the win.

Sauter won her second game of the day against College of Charleston, pitching 6.1 innings while striking out three batters and allowing four hits and four runs.

"We really showed up to compete today," said Head Coach Jill Matyuch. "Even when we took a couple of blows, we were able to get up and throw our own punches. Strong base running and being able to make solid contact proved key today."

The Bobcats will face Winthrop at 10 a.m. and College of Charleston again at 4 p.m. on tomorrow for day two of the tournament.