GREENSBORO, N.C. -- The Ohio softball team (4-9) plated five runs over the final three innings and had the go-ahead run at the plate in the top of the seventh inning but ultimately fell to UNC Greensboro (9-3), 8-5, on Wednesday (March 4).

Senior Adrienne Gebele (Annapolis, M.D.) went 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a run scored while classmate Dakota Pyles (Galloway, Ohio) added two singles. Redshirt senior Raven King (Alpine, Utah) coaxed three walks. Sophomore Casie Hutchinson (Lebanon, Ohio) finished 1-for-4 with two runs scored.

The Spartans plated three runs in the third inning and two more in the fourth to take a 5-0 advantage going into the fifth.

That's where Ohio began chipping away at the UNGC lead as Gebele stroked a leadoff double to right center, advanced to third one out later on a base hit by Pyles and scored on a wild pitch.

After senior Kaylin Clarke (North Royalton, Ohio) forced the Spartans to strand two runners in the home half of fifth, the Bobcats trimmed UNCG's lead down to one run with a three-run top of the sixth as Ohio took advantage of two errors. Freshman Mikayla Cooper (Delaware, Ohio) got things started with a single through the left side, then advanced to second on a throwing error as Hutchinson reached by way of a fielder's choice. Cooper and Hutchinson each advanced a base on a bunt single by Clarke, loading the bases with Bobcats with nobody out. King took advantage by drawing a walk to bump home Cooper. Hutchinson then scored on a throwing error as Gebele reached on a fielder's choice. With the bases still loaded, sophomore Leanna Bachman (Carroll, Ohio) cashed in by drawing a walk to allow senior Timmie Rappe (Wheaton, Ill.), who was pinch running for Clarke, to score.

The Spartans answered Ohio's challenge by tallying three more runs in the home half of the sixth to make it an 8-4 ballgame, but the Bobcats did not quit fighting. Hutchinson smacked a one-out double to left center to start the action in the top of the seventh. After King drew her third walk one out later, Gebele singled home Hutchinson on a base knock back up the middle to make it a three-run game. Bachman loaded the bases back up with Bobcats with a single through the left side, putting the tying run at the plate for Ohio. Unfortunately, that's as close as the Bobcats got, as Bachman was forced out at second on a fielder's choice to end the game.

Senior Lauren McClary (Pasadena, Texas) struck out two, walked three and allowed three earned runs on two hits in two and a third of an inning of work. Clarke gave up five runs -- none of them earned -- on six hits in two and two-thirds of an inning. Freshman Sydney Compston (Wellston, Ohio) tossed one scoreless frame for Ohio, striking out one.

Junior Danica Bishop (Irvine, Calif.) earned the pitching victory for the Spartans, throwing a scoreless inning and striking out one and walking one to improve to 2-0. Freshman Alicia Bazonski earned her second save, giving up four runs -- one of which was earned -- on four hits and a walk.

Senior Dominique Madruga, junior Lindsay Thomas, sophomore Tory Wright and senior Tatiana Alcala all finished with multi-hit days as UNCG pounded out 10 hits. Junior Nicole Thomas smashed a three-run homer for the Spartans in the third inning.

Next, Ohio wraps up its Spring Break trek when it travels to Chapel Hill, N.C., March 5-8 to compete in the Carolina Classic hosted by North Carolina. On Thursday, March 5, Ohio will play five games in four days, starting with Fairleigh Dickinson at 2 p.m. On Friday, March 6, Ohio will take on Big 12 opponent Texas at noon, the following day, Saturday March 7, the Bobcats will face host North Carolina at 1:30 p.m. Ohio wraps up competition with a double-header on Sunday, March 8, taking on Charlotte at 10 a.m., followed by UNC at 12:30 p.m.

SCOUTING THE KNIGHTS

This will be the first time that Fairleigh Dickinson will see action this spring because of weather. Last season the Knights finished 21-21.

SCOUTING THE LONGHORNS

Texas enters the weekend at 13-7. Notably this season, the Longhorns have defeated Georgia, UCLA and Arizona State.

Leading Texas at the plate is Erin Shireman, who is batting .393 in 20 starts. She has 11 hits, five doubles, one triple, five homeruns and 19 RBIs. She also sports a .786 slugging percentage.

In the circle, Erica Wright is 5-3 with a 1.54 ERA in her 11 appearances. In 54.2 innings she has walked 24 batters and has allowed 19 runs and 38 hits.

SCOUTING THE 49ERS

This will be the second meeting this season between the Bobcats and the 49ers. Charlotte defeated the Bobcats, 15-2, during the first weekend of play at the First Pitch Classic in Charlotte, N.C.

Currently Charlotte is 7-5 and is led at the plate by Courtney Carroll who is batting .394 in 33 at bats. She currently has 13 hits, two doubles, a triple, and homerun and five RBIs in 12 starts.

In the circle, Mackenzie Hauser is 3-0 with a 2.82 ERA. In 22.1 innings she has allowed 12 runs on 27 hits and has walked 16.

SCOUTING THE TAR HEELS

Host North Carolina is currently 11-4 on the season.

Leading the Tar Heels at the plate is Taylor Wike who is batting .432 in 15 starts. She has four doubles, five RBIS and two triples in 44 at bats. Leading UNC in RBIs is Amber Parrish who had 18 to go along with her team-leading five homeruns.

In the circle, Kaylee Carlson is 6-2 with a 2.58 ERA. In seven starts she has pitched 40.2 innings, allowing 17 runs on 28 hits and striking out 37.

ON THE SEASON FOR THE BOBCATS

On the season for Ohio, Sloan Walker (Cypress, Texas) continues to lead the Bobcats offensively; batting .404 with 19 hits in 47 at bats in her 14 starts. She has also registered two doubles, a triple and five runs batted in.

Clarke is also helping the Bobcats offensively, hitting .333 with 10 hits in 30 chances. She's scored three runs and has three RBIs.

The Bobcats have also crushed 11 long balls 13 games into the season. King and Cooper lead the way with three, followed by Hutchinson and Pyles with two and Gebele with one.

AFTER THE CAROLINA CLASSIC

After the Bobcats finish completion in North Carolina they will Lexington, Ky. on March 14-15, to take on the Kentucky Wildcats for the first time since the 2014 NCAA Regionals.

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