PITTSBURGH, Pa. (April 11, 2000) -- The Ohio softball team split a doubleheader at Pittsburgh on Tuesday, winning the first game 3-1 before falling 5-4 in game two.

In game one, the Bobcats built a 3-0 lead with runs in the third and fourth innings. In the third, Randy Rico singled to the shortstop and Christy Connelly reached on a fielder's choice, before both stole bases to leave runners on second and third. With two outs, Crystal Turner reached on an error by Panther shortstop Tiffany Barrett, allowing both runs to score unearned.

Ohio added another run in the fourth when Lyndsay Eirich doubled in Jennifer Schmidt who had reached on a walk.

Pittsburgh's only run came in the three-hit sixth inning. Pinch hitter Jacki Haar's doubled scored Amy Steich, leaving runners on second and third with just one out. But the next two Panthers flew and grounded out to end the inning.

Bobcat pitcher Kasey Dowd (3-10) claimed the complete-game victory, scattering eight hits and one walks over seven innings. Jen Sewell led the Bobcats at the plate, batting 2-of-3 with a double.

In game two, Ohio struck early with a pair of runs in the first. Tiffany Bolton reached on an error and moved to second on a Turner sacrifice bunt and scored on a Sara Kraus double. Kraus would round the bases two batters later on a Schmidt single.

Pittsburgh would even the score with a pair of runs in the third inning and then take a 4-2 lead with two more in the fifth.

But Ohio answered, knotting the score at 4-4 in the sixth when Eirich's double scored Sewell and Schmidt. Ohio pitcher Heather Hagen retired the side in the bottom of the sixth, but the Bobcat offense stalled in the top of the seventh. Pittsburgh led off the bottom of the seventh with a Clare McCann triple. She proved to be the game-winning run, scoring two batters later.

Hagen (3-7) allowed just five hits and one walk in the loss. Four of the five Panther runs were unearned as they took advantage of three Bobcat errors.

Ohio (7-18) returns to action on Friday, April 14 with its home opening doubleheader against Toledo at 2 p.m. MAC action continues on Saturday at 1 p.m. with a doubleheader against Ball State. All Bobcat home games are at the Ohio Softball Field. Admission is $4 for adults and $2 for children under 12. Ohio University students are admitted free with a valid I.D.