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KENNESAW, Ga. – The Ohio softball team (4-1) wrapped up play at the 2019 Phyllis Rafter Memorial, defeating Eastern Illinois (2-3), 4-1, Sunday afternoon (Feb. 10) in Kennesaw, Ga.

After Eastern Illinois threatened in the top of the first inning, the Bobcats would strike first in the bottom of the frame. Sophomore Allie Englant (Long Beach, Calif.) drew a walk and would then score on an RBI double from sophomore Katie Yun (North Canton, Ohio), giving the Bobcats a 1-0 lead going into the second inning. 

After EIU would strand a runner in the top of the second, the Bobcats would add on in the bottom of the frame, when senior Natalie Alvarez (Long Beach, Calif.) led the inning off with a double to left field. Junior Alexa Holland (Rochester, Ind.) would enter the game to run for Alvarez, and two batters later would score when senior Alex Day (Hilliard, Ohio) singled down the left field line, giving the Bobcats a 2-0 lead. 

After a scoreless top of the third, Ohio would add on again in the bottom of the third. With one out, freshman Charlee Pond (Redondo Beach, Calif.) singled through the left side and then moved to second on a passed ball. Pond would then score when senior Morgan Geno (Chillicothe, Ohio) singled to left field. Freshman Justice Ruggles (Grass Lake, Mich.) would then enter the game to pinch run for Geno and then move to second after Alvarez was hit by a pitch. Both runners would advance a base on a wild pitch, putting runners on second and third with one out. Ruggles would then score on a sacrifice fly from senior MacKenzie Brunswick (Bellefontaine, Ohio), giving Ohio a 4-0 lead. 

After the Eagles went down in order in the top of the fourth, Ohio would try to add on in the bottom of the inning. Day would lead off with a single to right and then move to second when Englant reached on a one out bunt single; however, the Bobcats would be unable to add on and would go to the fifth inning with a 4-0 lead. 

After a scoreless fifth inning, Eastern Illinois would get on the board in the top of the sixth inning off of a two-out RBI double. However, the Bobcats defense would get the final out, sending the game to the bottom of the sixth with a 4-1 lead. 

After a scoreless inning for the Bobcats in the bottom of the sixth, EIU would threaten again in the top of the seventh. With two outs, the Eagles would get two runners on thanks to an error and a base hit. However, the Bobcats would get the final out of the inning on a fielder's choice, securing Ohio's 4-1 victory. 

Overall, Ohio scored four runs on 10 hits and registered two errors, while Eastern Illinois scored one run on six hits. 

Individually, Geno went 2-for-3 with an RBI, while Englant went 2-for-3 with a run scored, while Yun went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI. Day went 2-of-3 with an RBI, while Pond, recorded a hit and scored a run, while Brunswick also registered an RBI for the Bobcats. 

In the circle, freshman Mackensie Kohl (Corona Del Mar, Calif.) pitched seven innings, allowing one run on six hits, walking two and striking out two batters for her second win of the season. 

Up next, the Bobcats head to Columbia, South Carolina, to participate in the Gamecock Invitational. On Friday, February 15, Ohio takes on South Carolina at 5 p.m. Play continues on Saturday where the Bobcats are set to play UNC Greensboro at 10 a.m. On Sunday, the Bobcats face off against Campbell at 10 a.m. and then Charlotte at 3 p.m.

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