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Game One PDF Boxscore | Game Two PDF Boxscore 

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – The Ohio softball team (0-7) returned to action on Friday (Feb. 14) during day one of the 2020 Chattanooga Challenge. The Bobcats dropped their first game to Western Kentucky (4-2), 13-4, before dropping a close contest to Lipscomb (4-1), 4-3. 

GAME ONE: Western Kentucky 13, Ohio 4
Western Kentucky got on the board first in the top of the first inning, hitting back-to-back homeruns with two outs, giving the Hilltoppers an early 3-0 lead. In the bottom of the frame, the Bobcats registered one base runner when freshman Molly Troutman (Gahanna, Ohio) reached after she was hit by a pitch. However, the Bobcats were unable to get her home, sending the game to the second with the Bobcats trailing, 3-0. 

After a scoreless top of the second for WKU Ohio recorded their first hit of the game in the bottom of the inning when freshman Alexis Dawe (Valley Springs, Calif.) reached on a leadoff single up the middle. Sophomore Caitlin Fogue (Columbia, Mo.) reached first after a fielder's choice, putting a runner on first with one out. However, the Bobcats were unable to capitalize on the leadoff hit, sending the game to the third with the Bobcats trailing. 3-0. 

Western Kentucky added on in the top of the third inning, scoring two runs on two hits to take a 5-0 lead going into the bottom of the inning. 

The Bobcats' offense came alive in the bottom of the third inning when juniors Ava Heidorn (Marysville, Ohio), Allie Englant (Long Beach, Calif.) and Katie Yun (North Canton, Ohio) all single to lead the bases with no out. Troutman drew a walk to score Heidorn and get the Bobcats first run of the game. Then with one out, Dawe singled down the left field line, scoring Yun to cut the Ohio deficit to 5-2. Then with two outs, Fogue singled, scoring senior Alexa Holland (Rochester, Ind.), who was in the game pinch running, however, Dawe was thrown out at home. The Bobcats ended up plating three runs on five hits to cut the WKU lead to 5-3 going into the fourth inning. 

After a scoreless fourth inning from both teams, WKU added a run in the top of the fifth inning, taking a 6-3 lead to the bottom of the frame. The Bobcats threatened to get the run back in the bottom of the inning when Englant led off with a walk. Troutman reached on a fielder's choice, erasing Englant from the bases. Holland then reached first on a bunt single, putting runners on first and second with two outs. Dawe then drew a walk to lead the bases with two outs, however, the Bobcats were unable score, sending the game to top of the sixth inning down, 6-3. 

After a scoreless top of the sixth inning for WKU, Ohio got a run back in the bottom of the frame after sophomore Caroline Spacek (Beaumont, Texas) led the inning off with a single and freshman Sydney Larson (Liberty Township, Ohio) drew a walk. With one out, Englant drew a walk to load the bases. Then with two outs, Troutman drew her second bases loaded walk of the day to score Spacek, cutting the Ohio deficit to 6-4 going into the top of the seventh inning. 

WKU added seven runs on six hits and three errors in the top of the seventh to take a 13-4 lead into the bottom of the inning. The Bobcats were unable to get anything going in the bottom of the seventh, falling by the final of 13-4. 

Overall, Ohio scored four runs on eight hits and committed three errors, while WKU scored 13 runs on 14 hits and did not commit and error.  

Individually, Dawe went 2-for-2 with an RBI and a walk, while Troutman drew two walks and registered two RBI. Englant added a hit and two walks, while Yun had a single and a run scored. Holland registered a hit and a run scored, while Fogue recorded a hit and an RBI. Spacek and Heidorn both added hits and runs scored for the Bobcats. 

In the circle, redshirt sophomore Baylie Thornhill (Baton Rouge, La.) got the start, pitching 6.2 innings, allowing eight runs on 10 hits, walked four and struck out nine. Sophomore Mackensie Kohl (Corona Del Mar, Calif.) pitched 0.1 innings, allowing five runs on four hits. 

GAME TWO: Lipscomb 4, Ohio 3
After a scoreless inning from Lipscomb in the top of the first, Ohio struck first in the bottom of the first inning. Englant led off with a single and then stole second right before Yun also reached on a single to put runners on first and third with no outs. Yun then stole second before Englant scored on a passed ball to put Ohio up 1-0. Dawe then picked up where she left off the game before, reaching on a single and scoring Yun to give the Bobcats a 2-0 lead with one out. Fogue then reached on a single, however, the Bobcats were unable to add on, sending the game to the second inning with Ohio leading, 2-0. 

After a scoreless inning from Lipscomb in the top of the second, the Bobcats attempted to add on in the bottom of the inning when Holland reached on an error and Englant reached on her second single of the day and junior Brooke Rice (Mason, Ohio) doubled for her first hit of the season. However, the Bobcats were unable to scrap another run across, sending the game to the third with the Bobcats leading, 2-0. 

After another scoreless inning from starting pitcher Madi McCrady (Brimfield, Ohio) and the Ohio defense, the Bobcats threatened once again in the bottom of the third when Heidorn doubled to center field. However, the Bobcats were unable to score, sending the game to the fourth inning with Ohio leading, 2-0. 

After Lipscomb put runners on first and third with no outs, the Bobcats were able to turn a double play to keep them off the board. Ohio threatened to add on in the bottom of the inning after Yun doubled to right center. However, Ohio was unable to add on, sending the game to the fifth inning with a 2-0 lead. 

After a scoreless fifth inning from both teams, Lipscomb got on the board in the top of the sixth, scoring three runs on four hits to take a 3-2 lead going into the bottom of the frame. The Bobcats responded in the bottom of the sixth inning, with one out, Heidorn walked. Then with two outs, Englant singled to put runners on first and second. Yun then doubled to center, scoring Heidorn and tying the game at 3-3 going into the top of the seventh inning. 

Lipscomb responded in the top of the seventh inning, taking a 4-3 lead on an RBI double. The Bobcats attempted to mount a rally in the bottom of the seventh inning when Dawe led off with a single and moved to second on a passed ball. Howeve,r the Bobcats were unable to push the run across, falling by the final of. 4-3. 

Overall, Ohio scored three runs on 10 hits with no errors, while Lipscomb scored four runs on eight hits with two errors. 

Yun went 3-for-4 with a double, run scored and an RBI, while Englant went 3-for-4 with a run scored. Dawe added two hits and an RBI, while Heidorn recorded a double and Fogue registered a base hit. 

In the circle, McCrady got the start, pitching all seven innings, allowing four runs on eight hits, walked four and struck out seven. 

UP NEXT
Ohio is back in action at the 2020 Chattanooga Challenge tomorrow (Feb. 15) when the Bobcats take on Indiana State at 11 a.m., followed by Marshall at 1:30 p.m. 

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