COLUMBUS, Ohio – Another piece of Ohio State’s 2023 softball schedule came together on Tuesday as the Big Ten announced next spring’s conference schedule.
In all, the Buckeyes are slated to play 23 Big Ten games over the course of seven weekends with one midweek doubleheader scheduled at Penn State. Ohio State will have four three-game series at home with three on the road.
Conference action commences March 24-26 as Michigan comes to Buckeye Field. Last season, two of the three games between the Buckeyes and Wolverines were decided by one run in a three-game set at Alumni Field in Ann Arbor.
Week two of the Big Ten schedule will take Ohio State to Bloomington, Ind. March 31-April 2. That’s followed by another home series – April 7-9 – vs. Rutgers and a midweek doubleheader on either April 11 or 12 at Penn State. Another road series at Illinois awaits the next week at Illinois (April 14-16).
Ohio State has back to back home series April 21-23 and April 28-30 against Purdue and Minnesota, respectively. Purdue hasn’t visited Columbus since 2016 while next season will mark Minnesota’s first trip in 10 years, since 2013.
The Buckeyes’ regular season concludes May 5-7 at defending Big Ten Tournament champion Nebraska in Lincoln, Neb. Last season, the Buckeyes took two of three games from the Huskers in Columbus. The two teams also met in the Big Ten Tournament semifinals.
This year’s Big Ten Tournament will be held May 10-13 at Eichelberger Field on the campus of the University of Illinois.
The remainder of Ohio State’s schedule, which will include non-conference games and midweek contests during Big Ten season, is expected to be released later this fall. Games at Buckeye Field are free, as is parking in the lots surrounding Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium, Bill Davis Stadium and Buckeye Field.
Ohio State 2023 Big Ten Softball Schedule
March 24-26 – vs. Michigan (Columbus, Ohio)
March 31-April 2 – at Indiana (Bloomington, Ind.)
April 7-9 – vs. Rutgers (Columbus, Ohio)
April 11 or 12 – at Penn State (State College, Pa.)
April 14-16 – at Illinois (Champaign, Ill.)
April 21-23 – vs. Purdue (Columbus, Ohio)
April 28-30 – vs. Minnesota (Columbus, Ohio)
May 5-7 – at Nebraska (Lincoln, Neb.)
May 10-13 – Big Ten Tournament (Champaign, Ill.)
Conference Schedule at a Glance
Opponent: Michigan
Dates: March 24-26, 2023
Last Meeting in Columbus: April 9-11, 2021
Did You Know: Four of the last six meetings between Ohio State and Michigan have been decided by two runs or less
Opponent: at Indiana
Dates: March 31-April 2, 2023
Last Meeting in Bloomington: April 16-18, 2021
Did You Know: Ohio State and Indiana have played 29 times over the last 10 years (nine seasons). The Buckeyes have 17 wins over the Hoosiers in that time.
Opponent: Rutgers
Dates: April 7-9, 2023
Last Meeting in Columbus: April 23-25, 2021
Did You Know: Ohio State is 16-3 vs. Rutgers since the Scarlet Knights joined the Big Ten beginning in 2015.
Opponent: at Penn State
Dates: April 11 of April 12, 2023
Last Meeting in State College: April 3-4, 2021
Did You Know: Ohio State and Penn State have played a midweek doubleheader every year since 2014 (2020 and 2021 excluded due to COVID-19 pandemic)
Opponent: at Illinois
Dates: April 14-16, 2023
Last Meeting in Champaign: May 7-8, 2021
Did You Know: Ohio State has won 11 of its last 13 games against Illinois, including series victories in Champaign in 2017 and 2021.
Opponent: Purdue
Dates: April 21-23, 2023
Last Meeting in Columbus: April 22-24, 2016
Did You Know: The last time the Buckeyes and Boilermakers played in Columbus, Ohio State won two of three games – both by one run – and took the series with a 5-4 walk-off victory in the series finale.
Opponent: Minnesota
Dates: April 28-30, 2023
Last Meeting in Columbus: April 26-28, 2013
Did You Know: The Buckeye and Gophers haven’t faced each other in the regular season since a three-game series in Columbus in 2013
Opponent: at Nebraska
Dates: May 5-7, 2023
Last Meeting in Lincoln: April 18-19, 2014
Did You Know: Over the last 10 full seasons (since 2012), the Buckeyes and Cornhuskers have played just once in Lincoln (2014).
