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Box Score (PDF) 

MUNCIE, Ind. – The Ohio softball team (17-17, 13-12 MAC) returned to action Saturday (April 24) afternoon, defeating Ball State (24-12, 19-2 MAC), 3-1, handing the Cardinals their second conference loss of the season. 

Ball State out-hit the Bobcats 7-5, however, the Cardinals recorded two errors to the Bobcats' one. Freshman infielder Annalia Paoli (Point Marion, Pa.) had two hits, one double and two RBI, while graduate student designated player Mikenzie Vaughn (Kennesaw, Ga.) recorded two hits and a run scored. Freshman infielder Tori O'Brien (Mason, Ohio) added another hit for the Bobcats. 

Ohio struck first, taking the lead in the top of the first inning. After senior infielder Katie Yun (North Canton, Ohio) walked, Vaughn recorded her first hit of the game to put runners on first and second. Then with two outs, Paoli doubled to right center, clearing the bases and giving Ohio the 2-0 lead. 

Ball State cut the Ohio lead in half in the bottom of the fifth inning, scoring a run on an RBI single from graduate student Haley Dominique, cutting the Ohio lead to 2-1. 

Ohio got the run back in the top of the next inning. After Paoli singled and moved to second on an error, she then moved to third and scored on another Ball State error when junior outfielder Caitlin Fogue (Columbia, Mo.) reached on a fielder's choice, extending the Ohio lead to 3-1. 

The Ohio defense held strong, fending off Cardinal base runners in the bottom of the sixth and bottom of the seventh innings, slamming the door on another Ball State comeback and sealing the 3-1 win. 

In the circle, junior Mackensie Kohl (Corona Del Mar, Calif.) got the start, pitching seven innings, allowing one run on seven hits, walked two and struck out two. For Ball State, sophomore Deborah Jones got the start, pitching six innings, allowing three runs, two earned, on four hits, walked three and struck out three. 

Ohio and Ball State conclude the four-game series on Sunday (April 25). First pitch is set for 12 p.m. ET

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