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CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Ohio softball team (5-10) wrapped up play at the 2020 Charleston Invitational Sunday morning (Feb. 23). The Bobcats dropped the final game of the weekend to Appalachian State (9-5), 9-1, finishing the weekend 3-2 overall.

Appalachian State got the first baserunner of the game a one-out single. However, starting pitcher, redshirt sophomore Baylie Thornhill (Baton Rouge, La.) recorded the next two outs to bring the Bobcats to bat. The Bobcats were able to get a runner on in the bottom of the frame, a two-out walk by junior Katie Yun (North Canton, Ohio), however, the Bobcats were unable to score, sending the game to the second with the game scoreless. 

After Appalachian State went down in order in the top of the second inning, Ohio struck in the bottom of the frame. Sophomore Caroline Spacek (Beaumont, Texas) doubled to lead off the inning and moved to third on a wild pitch. Junior Brooke Rice (Mason, Ohio) drew a walk. Sophomore Justice Ruggles (Grass Lake, Mich.) then entered the game to run for Rice and stole second. However, Spacek was thrown out trying to steal home. Sophomore Caitlin Fogue (Columbia, Mo.) then singled, putting runners on first and third. Then with one out, freshman Molly Troutman (Gahanna, Ohio) lined out, however it allowed Ruggles to score from third, putting Ohio up, 1-0 after two innings. 

Appalachian State tied the game in the top of the third inning, scoring one run on two hits. In the bottom of the inning, Ohio threatened to retake the lead. Junior Allie Englant (Long Beach, Calif.) led off with a single up the middle. With one out, she moved to second on an infield single by Yun. However, Ohio was unable to score, sending the game to the top of the fourth with it tied at 1-1. 

In the top of the fourth inning, Appalachian State scored three runs on three hits and one error to take a 4-1 lead going to the bottom of the inning. After a scoreless bottom of the fourth and top of the fifth, Ohio threatened in the bottom of the fifth inning, with freshman Alexis Dawe (Valley Springs, Calif.) reaching on a double. However, the Bobcats were unable to score, sending the game to the sixth inning with Ohio down, 4-1. 

Appalachian State entered the top of the sixth inning and scored five runs on six hits, taking a 9-1 lead to the bottom of the inning. Ohio threatened to get some of the runs back in the bottom of the sixth inning. Junior Ava Heidorn (Marysville, Ohio) reached on an error and then moved to second when Spacek singled. With two outs, Troutman reached on an error of her own to load the bases, however the Bobcats were unable to score, falling to Appalachian State, 9-1. 

Overall, Ohio scored one run on six hits and committed one error, while Appalachian State scored nine runs on 13 hits and committed two errors. 

Spacek finished the game with two hits and one double, while Dawe finished with a double. Yun also finished with one hit, while Fogue recorded a hit, while Troutman added an RBI and Ruggles a run scored. 

In the circle, Thornhill pitched five innings, allowing eight runs, seven earned, on 11 hits, walked two and struck out four. Freshman Holly Brehm (Mullens, W.Va.) pitched 0.1 innings, allowing one run on one hit, while walking one. Sophomore Mackensie Kohl (Corona Del Mar, Calif.) entered the game and pitched 0.2 innings and did not allow a run on one hit. 

Up next, the Bobcats head back to South Carolina for the 2020 Courtyard Marriott Barefoot Landing Invitational hosted by Coastal Carolina, Feb. 28-March 1 in Conway, S.C. While there, Ohio will take on Maryland Eastern Shore, Coastal Carolina and Monmouth.

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