COLUMBUS, Ohio – Perhaps it was fitting that a pair of veteran pitchers took care of business in the circle while the Buckeyes young hitters did damage at the plate to kick of Senior Weekend.
Payton Buresch won her 10th game of the year by scattering four hits over six innings and Skylar Hayward finished things off with two strikeouts in the seventh inning. Meanwhile, at the plate, sophomore Sam Hackenbracht hit a two-run home run, sophomore Mariah Rodriguez went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and freshman Kirsten Eppele chipped in with a back-breaking two-run bases loaded single. It all added up to a 7-1 victory over Michigan State on Friday night at Buckeye Field.
URBANA, Ill. – It was a good day for the Ohio State softball field at Eichelberger Field in Urbana, Ill. Just how good? How does 17 runs, 16 hits and just one run allowed in a doubleheader sweep sound? That’s what Ohio State produced on Friday as they followed up a 12-0 five-inning win and game one with a 5-1 victory in game two to improve to 20-17 on the season. Illinois is now 22-16.
The win in game was one was highlighted by an offensive onslaught that included 11 runs in the fourth inning, including a two-run home run by Sam Hackenbracht and RBI singles off the bats of Carley Gaskill, Taylor Pack and Avery Clark. The Buckeyes chased Illinois pitcher Sydney Sickles out of the game after 3.1 innings and six earned run allowed. She came into the contest with the fifth-best ERA in the Big Ten.
Saturday on BTN
The first game on Saturday’s doubleheader will air live on BTN. Chris Vosters (play by play) and Elise Menaker (color analysis) will be on the call. The other three games will be carried on BTN Plus.
Briefly on the Buckeyes
Ohio State brings an 18-17 record into this weekend’s series after a four-game set last weekend at Purdue.
The Buckeyes won the opening game, 5-1, on Friday but then suffered three setbacks to close out the weekend.
Ohio State’s .269 team batting average is fourth best in the Big Ten.
Mariah Rodriguez and Sam Hackenbracht lead the way amongst the everyday starters with the top batting averages. Rodriguez checks in at .343 with five doubles, two triples and two home runs. Hackenbracht is at .342 with 10 home runs and 21 RBI.