Final Stats

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SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Ohio softball team (15-6) returned to action against USC Upstate (23-6) on Friday, March 17 and were led by Alex Day’s three-RBI day, with the Bobcats downing the Spartans by the final of 3-2.

The Bobcats struck first in the top of the first inning. With one out, Alex Day (Hilliard, Ohio) smashed a home run to straight away centerfield, putting the Bobcats up 1-0.

After USC Upstate would leave a runner on base in the bottom of the first inning, Ohio would come out and add on in the top of the second. With one out, Alexa Holland (Rochester, Ind.) would hit a bunt single. Jamie Wren (Whittier, Calif.) would follow that up with a singled through the right side, putting runners on first and second. Deanna Cole (Akron, Ohio) would then single through the left side, loading the bases. Then with two outs, Day would single through the right side, scoring Holland and Wren and giving Ohio a 3-0 lead.

The Spartans would get a run in the bottom of the second inning off of a leadoff home run to centerfield, cutting the Ohio lead to 3-1.

Ohio would attempt to add on in the top of the third inning when Madison Claytor (Alpharetta, Ga.) hit a two out double, However she would not score and the Bobcats would continue to lead 3-1.

After Savannah Jo Dorsey (Grove City, Ohio) sent the Spartans down in order in the third inning, the Bobcats would put runners on again in the top of the fourth inning. Wren would lead the inning off with a walk, then with one out, Taylor Saxton (Circleville, Ohio) would single up the middle putting runners on first and third. However, neither would score and Ohio would keep the 3-1 lead.

The Spartans would cut the Ohio lead to one in the bottom of the sixth inning. The Spartan leadoff batter would double to left center. She would then advance to third on a base hit, putting runners on first and third with no outs. The runner on third would then score on a sacrifice fly, making the score 3-2. After walking the next batter, Dorsey would get the last batter of the inning to ground out, keeping the score 3-2.

The Bobcats would get a base runner in the top of the seventh inning on a Holland single. However, the Spartan defense would hold strong and the score would remain 3-2 to enter the bottom of the seventh.

In the bottom of the seventh inning, Dorsey would send the Spartan batters down in order to preserve the 3-2 victory.

At the plate, the Bobcats scored three runs on nine hits. Leading the way was Day who went 3-for-4 with a home run, three RBI and a run scored. Holland went 2-for-3 with a run scored. Wren added a hit and a run scored and Cole, Claytor and Saxton all added hits for Ohio.

In the circle, Dorsey get the nod, pitching seven innings, allowing two runs on three hits and striking out eight.

Ohio returns to action Saturday, March 18 at the College of Charleston Tournament. After a change in the schedule, Ohio will now take on Lafayette at 1 p.m., followed by the Bobcats a Western Carolina at 5:30 p.m.

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