Alabama Box (PDF) | Georgia State Box (PDF)

ATLANTA -- The Miami University softball team dropped a pair of contests to open the 2016 season at the Panther Invitational in Atlanta on Friday. In the morning, the RedHawks fell to fifth-ranked Alabama, 10-2, in six innings. Miami then ran into a strong pitcher as it was no-hit in a 3-0 loss to Georgia State in the afternoon.

In the opener, Alabama used four hits and a RedHawk error to score five runs in the bottom of the first inning. Miami fought back with two runs in the top of the third. With two outs, freshman shortstop Michaela Schlattman doubled to right field. Senior outfielder Tanya Busby followed with a single down the left field line, advancing to second on the throw in. Senior outfielder Taylor Shuey then drove both Schlattman and Busby in with a single up the middle, pulling the RedHawks to within three, 5-2.

The Crimson Tide chipped away throughout the rest of the contest, scoring two runs in the bottom of the third, two more in the fourth and one in the sixth to finish off the game at 10-2 due to the run rule. Shuey finished the opener 2-for-3 with two RBI. Schlattman and Busby were 1-for-3 with one run scored. Junior second baseman Eryn McCarver also recorded a hit for Miami.

The nightcap against Georgia State turned into a pitchers' duel between junior Carly Mortensen and the Panthers' Katie Worley. They each shut out their opposition through the first four innings of the contest with Mortensen surrendering a single hit.

In the top of the fifth Georgia State broke through for three runs off senior pitcher Amber Logemann, who had come into the game in relief. Logemann settled down, shutting out the Panthers the rest of the way, but Worley remained on her game and did not allow the RedHawks a single hit in the contest.

Miami's only baserunner of the nightcap came when junior outfielder Jenna Jones drew a walk in the bottom of the third.

The RedHawks continue play at the Panther Invitational when they take on Maryland Saturday at 5:30 p.m.