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PALM SPRINGS, Calif. – Ohio State picked up a pair of shutout wins on the second day of the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic. The Buckeyes topped Utah for the second time this season, 2-0, before defeating Duke, 6-0, in the nightcap. With two victories, the Buckeyes have a 7-4 record.
FRESHMAN COME UP
Rookie outfielder Kaitlyn Coffman had herself a day, recording a .857 batting average, six RBI, six hits and a 1.429 slugging percentage. She tallied a career-high three hits and five RBI against the Blue Devils. Through three games this weekend, Coffman has hit .700 and slugged 1.400 with 10 RBI, seven hits, two homers and two runs scored.
GAME 1: Ohio State 2, Utah 0
Righty ace Morgan Ray (3-2) earned her second complete-game win of the season. Although she allowed five hits, she fanned six batters to match her season high.
It looked like the Utes were going to strike first in the top of the fifth. Ohio State got into a bases-loaded jam but Ray was there to pitch back-to-back strikeouts to retire the side.
Facing two outs in the bottom of the sixth, Lilli Piper was the spark that offense needed on a double to right center. Emily Clark came through in the clean-up spot and doubled to the shortstop, scoring Piper. Kaitlyn Coffman was up next with a single to right field, giving Clark enough time to sprint in and beat the tag at home plate.
Game 2: Ohio State 6, Duke 0
Ohio State was quick to get on the board in the opening frame. Summer Constable singled before Lilli Piper got her around to third base with her own single. Piper successfully stole second putting a pair in scoring position. It took a fast rolling ball up the middle by Kaitlyn Coffman to plate two.
The hits kept coming in the third, starting with a leadoff single to short by Ashley Prange. A groundout moved her over to second base and Piper drew a four-pitch walk. Up next, Emily Clark doubled to center field to score Prange. Keeping with the trend, Coffman roped a double to left field, which sent Piper and Clark home.
Coffman’s hot streak continued in the sixth on a solo home run over left center for the final tally.
RHP Lauren Rice (3-1) went the distance, giving up five hits and striking out three.
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UP NEXT
Ohio State concludes its time in Palm Springs on Sunday morning when it takes on New Mexico State at 9 a.m. PT/12 p.m. ET.
