OXFORD, Ohio - The University of Dayton softball team held off a fierce seventh-inning rally to defeat Austin Peay, 8-7, Friday in its first game of the Miami (Ohio) Invitational. Junior Ellie Ziegler knocked in three RBI on two hits in the win for the Flyers.

Dayton improves to 9-10 on the season while Austin Peay moves to an even 12-12.

Dayton 8, Austin 7
Winning Pitcher: Jessica Gilliam (4-4) - six earned runs on seven hits while striking out four to two walks (6.0 IP)
Losing Pitcher: Kelly Mardones (3-6) - four earned runs on seven hits with one strike out and one walk (4.0 IP)
Save: Jessica Weaver (1)

INSIDE THE NUMBERS
• 9 - at first base, Ziegler recorded nine putouts on the day
• 3 - Ziegler collected three RBI after going 2-for-4 at the plate while also scoring one run
• 2 - sophomore Morgan Mateja was 2-for-3 with two RBI
• 1 - Weaver tallied her first save of the season, the third of her career

UP NEXT
Dayton continues play at the annual Miami Invitational tomorrow morning with an 11 a.m. tilt against Michigan State. UD will square off against APSU for the second time this weekend at approximately 1:30 p.m. Saturday.