Ohio State Softball Splits Doubleheader With the RedHawks. – Ohio State Buckeyes
3/29/2000 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 29, 2000
Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio State softball team lost in the home opener to Miami (Ohio), 6-5, in extra innings today at Buckeye Field. However, the Buckeyes came back in the second game of the doubleheader to nip the RedHawks, 2-1, and improve to 15-12 for the season.
“Honestly, we were very disappointed in giving up 15 hits in the first game,” head coach Linda Kalafatis said. “However, we came back in the second game and really gutted it out. I know we are capable of playing better and we will be striving to do so in the next two non-conference games.”
Game One
Down 2-0, Ohio State rallied in the fourth inning when freshman Rogeanna Hottinger nailed a grand slam over the rightfield wall to give the Buckeyes a 4-2 lead. Hottinger would add another run in the bottom of the fifth off a one-run double into centerfield.
Ohio State looked to ace the win, when Jenn Elwell came in for the save in the seventh. However, the RedHawks came back to tie the game when Nicki Pelfrey opened the inning with a double to leftfield to score Keri Brisnehan. Kristina Mortaloni followed with a two-run homer to left and tied the game at 5-5
Ohio State would eventually lose the game off another Miami RedHawk home run. With one out, Laura Fulton blasted a solo homer to clinch the 6-5 upset in the top of the ninth inning.
Toni Hileman, who relieved Elwell in the eighth inning, fell to 2-3 for the season. Miami’s Tyra Bowling captured the win off three innings of play and gave up only one hit. Offensively, Hottinger led the Buckeyes with her best performance of the season. She went 2-for-4, one double, one grand slam and a career-high five RBI.
Game Two
The Buckeyes came back hungry in the second game to win 2-1 and split the series. Both teams only runs came in the first inning, when Miami opened with Pelfrey scoring Mary Neal off a single to centerfield. Ohio State rallied in the bottom of the first as Renae Weigel dinged a two-run single to the rightfield corner.
After posting the loss in the first game, starter Hileman completed the second game, striking out three and giving up only three hits for her third win of the season.
Ohio State will have the weekend off and will next take on Toledo, Monday, April 3 and Morehead State, Tuesday at 3 p.m. Both are doubleheaders and will be played at Buckeye Field.
