Box Score OXFORD, Ohio – The University of Dayton softball upped its winning streak to six consecutive after a 5-2 victory over Oakland in the Miami Invitational Thursday at Miami Softball Stadium. Five different Flyers scored in the win and UD improves to 11-8. Oakland drops to 8-11 overall.

Freshman Kailee Budicin led the Flyers on offense with two RBI. Budicin and junior Kathryn Hess both went 2-for-3 at the plate. Hess also tallied an RBI. Senior Natalie Mariano, senior Tiffany Ricks, sophomore Katie Ryan each had a hit for UD as well. Ricks also was credited with two stolen bases.
 
Senior Kayla English (4-3), reigning Atlantic 10 Pitcher of the Week, went 5.2 innings on the mound, striking out four and only allowing five hits to earn the win. Freshman Manda Cash earned the save, pitching 1.1 innings, striking out two and allowing no hits and no runs.

Budicin started out the second inning with a single up the middle. Kennedy Haynes put down a bunt that advanced Budicin to second. Hess's RBI single scored the first run of the game.

The Flyers built on the lead in the bottom of the third. Ricks started the two-out rally with a single to left field. She stole second, followed by a single by Ryan to put runners on the corners. That's when Budicin doubled to center field to give Dayton a 3-0 lead.

By the bottom of the fourth UD built a 5-0 cushion. Hess started the inning with a single down the right field line. Sophomore Hannah DeSalvo was hit by a pitch setting the stage for Mariano's RBI single up the middle. DeSalvo scored on an error after Ricks put the ball in play for UD's final run of the game.

Oakland rallied for two runs in the fifth and sixth innings, but UD held on for the victory.

Dayton will face the Grizzlies again Saturday, March 14 at 2:30 p.m. at Miami Softball Stadium. They close out the tournament vs. host Miami Sunday at 3:45 p.m. and North Dakota at 6 p.m.