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OXFORD, Ohio – The Ohio softball team (8-17, 2-4 MAC) returned to action on Friday evening (April 1), falling to Miami (15-10, 6-0 MAC), 4-3, in the first game of a three-game series. 
 
Overall, Ohio scored three runs on eight hits and did not commit an error, while Miami scored four runs, three in the bottom of the seventh, on six hits and did not commit an error.
 
Senior Caroline Spacek (Beaumont, Texas) went 3-for-3 with two doubles and on run score. Sophomore Annalia Paoli (Point Marion, Pa.) went 2-for-4 with a homerun, run scored and an RBI, while fifth year Brooke Rice (Mason, Ohio) added a homerun, two RBI and one run scored. Fifth year Allie Englant (Long Beach, Calif.) and graduate student Megan McMenemy (Westerville, Ohio) both added hits for the Bobcats. 
 
The Bobcats got the first hit of the game in the top of the first inning with a two-out single to right from McMenemy. However, the Bobcats were unable to score, sending the game to the bottom of the frame with it still scoreless. 
 
After the Bobcats are unable to capitalize on a one-out double from Spacek in the top of the second, Miami recorded its first two base runners of the game. However, the Bobcats defense game through, sending the game to the third inning still scoreless. The Bobcats threatened again in the top of the third, loading the bases with two outs. However, the offense was unable to get a run home, keeping the game 0-0 after three innings. 
 
Ohio finally got on the board in the top of the fourth inning. After Spacek led off the inning with a single. Rice hits a one-out, two-run home run to center, putting Ohio up 2-0 after four innings. 
 
After an uneventful fifth innings. The Bobcats threatened to add on in the top of the sixth inning. With one out, Spacek roped her second double of the game down the left field line. After Rice and freshman Lauren Yuhas (West Mifflin, Pa.) were both hit by pitches. The Bobcats loaded the bases with tow outs. However, once again Ohio was not able to cash in on the opportunity, sending the game to the bottom of the sixth with a 2-0 lead. 
 
Miami got on the board in the bottom of the sixth. After a leadoff double got the RedHawks in scoring position, a one-out single got the run home. The Ohio defense then held their ground recording the next two outs, sending the game to the final inning with Ohio leading, 2-1. 
 
Ohio got the run back in the top of the seventh inning, when Paoli crushed a two-out homerun to left, giving Ohio a 3-1 lead going into the final frame. 
 
The Ohio defense quickly recorded the first two outs in the bottom of the seventh with a strikeout and a pop up on the first pitch. The next two RedHawks walked before an RBI single brought the game within one. After another walk, a two-RBI single from Miami gave the RedHawks the 4-3 win. 
 
In the circle, senior Mackensie Kohl (Corona Del Mar, Calif) pitched 6.2 innings, allowing four runs on six hits, walked six and struck out seven. 
 
The Bobcats are back in action tomorrow, April 2, when the Bobcats and Miami face off in a doubleheader. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. 
 
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