COLUMBIA, S.C. – Behind a dominant 11-strikeout performance from Ohio pitcher Savannah Jo Dorsey and a 3-for-3 day with three RBI from MacKenzie Brunswick, the Bobcats spoiled the 2017 season-opener for the Longwood softball team in the Carolina Classic Friday morning at Carolina Softball Stadium.

Dorsey (1-0), the 2016 MAC Pitcher of the Year, finished the morning with 11 strikeouts while giving up just one hit in 6.0 innings of work. The Ohio redshirt-senior allowed just five baserunners for the game, throwing 60 of 104 pitches for strikes. She was relieved by Danielle Stiene, who gave up one hit in one scoreless inning to seal the shutout.

Brunswick was the catalyst of the Ohio (1-0) offense, recording three of the Bobcats' six hits and finishing the day with three RBI and a run scored, as she was a triple away from the cycle. The Ohio left fielder was one of four different Bobcats to record a hit in the game.

Back-to-back Big South Pitcher of the Year Elizabeth McCarthy (0-1) got the start in the circle for the Lancers and gave up four runs, one earned, on four hits while striking out five Ohio batters in 5.0 innings of work. Jenna Carnes came on for McCarthy in the sixth inning and pitched 2.0 innings, giving up one run on two hits while striking out a pair.

Kaylynn Batten and Kelsey Sweeney led the Longwood (0-1) offense with a hit, as the Lancers stranded a runner in scoring position in two innings.

"It was a disappointing day for us because we were outplayed in all phases of the game," said Longwood head coach Kathy Riley. "The first thing we're going to change is our aggressiveness, because we need to take the game to our opponents."

The Bobcats opened the scoring in the top-half of the second, as Brunswick singled back up the middle to score Madison Claytor to give Ohio a 1-0 advantage.

With her second hit of the day, Brunswick doubled the Ohio lead in the fourth inning, after doubling to left center field to bring home Alexa Holland. That was one of three runs in the inning for the Bobcats, as all three of the Bobcats were unearned. 

Longwood had perhaps its best threat of the day in the fourth inning, as the Lancers had runners on the corners with less than two out before a double-play ended the threat and the inning.

"Tomorrow, we play two good teams in Charlotte and South Carolina, so immediate adjustments are in order," Riley said.

Longwood returns to the field Saturday, Feb. 11 with a doubleheader against Charlotte and (RV) South Carolina. Longwood's contest against the 49ers is set for a 10 a.m., first pitch, while the Lancers will face the Gamecocks at 3 p.m., on SECN+/WatchESPN.

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