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SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Ohio softball team (3-1) returned to action on Saturday (Feb. 7) for the second day of the Founders Classic in Spartanburg, S.C. Ohio took the first game of the day against Towson (2-2), 12-4 in six innings, before falling to host USC Upstate (2-1), 10-9, in eight innings in the second game of the day. 

GAME ONE: Ohio 12, Towson 4 (6 Innings)
Overall, Ohio scored 12 run s on seven hits and committed two errors, while Towson scored four runs on three hits and committed five errors. 

Senior Colleen Bare (Pickerington, Ohio) went 2-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored, while junior Kylie Gorsuch (North Canton, Ohio) had a home run, RBI and one run scored. Senior Shelby Westler (Marion, Ohio) added one hit and scored two runs, while junior Mikie Lieving (New Haven, W.V.) and sophomore Sydney Young (Charleston, W. Va.) both recorded two RBI. Freshman Allie Cervola (Hunker, Pa.) registered a double and an RBI, while junior Izzie Wilson (Delaware, Ohio) registered two RBI and scored two runs. 

In the circle, senior Keegan Moore (South Point, Ohio) got the start, throwing four innings, allowing four runs, two earned, while walking four and striking out two. Sophomore Ally Meyers (Waterville, Ohio) entered the game in the fifth inning, pitching two innings, allowing no runs on no hits, walked one and struck out four for the first save of her career. 

Towson struck first in the top of the second inning, scoring two runs on a fielding error, taking a 2-0 lead into the bottom of the frame. The Bobcats responded in the bottom of the frame, taking the lead on an RBI single from Lieving, sending the game to the second inning with Ohio leading, 3-2. 

After a scoreless top of the second, the Bobcats added on in the bottom of the inning, with Hummel scoring on a wild pitch and Bare scoring on the throw when junior Brenna Farmer (Mt. Blanchard, Ohio) was thrown out at second, giving Ohio a 5-2 lead entering the third inning. 

After a scoreless third inning from both teams, the Ohio defense sent the Tigers down in order in the top of the fourth. In the bottom of the inning, Ohio added on to their lead after an RBI double from Cervola, putting Ohio up, 6-2 headed into the top of the fifth. 

Towson cut into the Bobcats lead in the top of the fifth. After a two-run home run, Meyers entered the circle. With no outs and runners on first and second, Meyers was able to get two batters to strikeout, with the final batter to ground out to end the threat and send the game to the bottom of the fifth with Ohio leading, 6-4. 

The Bobcats got the runs back in the bottom of the fifth, capitalizing on Towson fielding errors, scoring three runs on no hits and two errors to take a 9-4 lead into the top of the sixth inning. 

After the Bobcats held Towson off the board in the top of the sixth, the Bobcats offense took control in the bottom of the sixth inning. After Gorsuch led the inning off with a home run, Farmer drew a walk and Westler singled to put runners on second and third with no outs. Moments later, Young hit a two-run single to right center, ending the game and securing the Bobcats' 12-4 win. 

GAME TWO: USC Upstate 10, Ohio 9 (8 Innings)
Overall, Ohio scored nine runs on 15 hits and two errors, while USC Upstate scored 10 runs on 17 hits and committed one error. 

Senior Belle Hummel (Cincinnati, Ohio) went 3-for-4 with a double, two runs scored and an RBI, while Farmer went 3-for-3 with a double, three RBI and one run scored. Lieving added a double, run scored and RBI, while freshman Sena Smith (East Liverpool, Ohio) went 3-for-3 in her first college game, with two RBI and a run scored. 

In the circle, graduate student Skipp Miller (Bradford, Ohio) got the start, pitching four innings, allowing six runs on 10 hits, walked one and struck out three, while Meyers pitched three innings, allowing four runs, two earned, on five hits with one strikeout. 

Ohio struck first in the top of the first inning. After Hummel led the game off with a double to right center, she scored on a sacrifice fly by Westler to give the Bobcats an early 1-0 lead. 

After a scoreless second inning, Upstate took the lead, scoring three runs on four hits and was highlighted by a two RBI double, giving the Spartans the 3-1 lead going into the four. 

Ohio responded immediately in the top of the fourth inning. After Wilson and Smith reached on back-to-back singles, Hummel recorded one of her own, scoring Wilson. Later in the inning. A two RBI single to third from Farmer, put the Bobcats up 4-2 headed into the bottom of the fourth.

After the Spartans stranded a runner in the bottom of the fourth, Ohio added on in the top of the fifth inning. Lieving led the inning off by reaching on an error, setting up an RBI single from Smith. Moments later, Bare recorded her own RBI infield single, scoring Wilson and putting Ohio up 7-3 heading into the bottom of the inning.  

The Spartans chipped into the Ohio lead in the bottom of the fifth inning, scoring three runs on four hits and leaving one on base to cut the Ohio lead to 7-6 heading into the sixth inning. After a scoreless top of the inning for Ohio, Upstate tied the game at 7-7 on a leadoff home run. Sending the game to the final inning with the game tied. 

After Upstate went down in order in the bottom of the seventh to send the game to extra innings, Ohio struck in the top of the eighth when RBI doubles from Farmer and Lieving gave Ohio a 9-7 lead headed into the bottom of the inning. However, Upstate responded, tying the game on a two-run home run, before walking off on an RBI single to take the game, 10-9 in eight innings. 

UP NEXT:
The Bobcats wrap up the 2026 Founder Classic on Sunday, Feb. 8 when Ohio takes on Saint Francis. First pitch is set for 11:30 a.m. ET. 

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