Softball Falls to Florida International, 1-0 – Ohio State Buckeyes
3/2/2001 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 2, 2001
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Wendy Allen (Fr., Moreno Valley, Calif./Moreno Valley) opened the Golden Panther Invitational in the circle for the Ohio State softball team (7-5) with an impressive showing in Miami, Fla., against host Florida International.
Unfortunately for Allen and the Buckeyes, FIU pitcher Mila Nelson also had a standout performance as she guided the Panthers to a 1-0 victory in the pitcher’s dual.In her second start at pitcher, Allen allowed only three hits and struck out six in five innings of work.
Allen is 1-1 after the loss. Nelson is now 7-4 and helped the Golden Panthers improve to 17-5 for the season.
Nelson held the Buckeyes to two hits on the afternoon. Going the distance, she struck out four and only once allowed a Buckeye to reach second base.
Anna Smith (Jr., Walnut, Calif./Diamond Bar) reached first base on an error by FIU shortstop Stephanie Wolter to open the game. Jenn Link (So., Yorba Linda, Calif.,/Sonora) then singled up the middle to put Smith on second. Allen then hit a rope to that was snagged out of the air by Melissa Fleitas at second base. Fleitas then doubled up Smith at second to end the Buckeyes first – and last – scoring threat. OSU would not have a runner in scoring position for the remainder of the game.
FIU fared little better against Allen. The Golden Panthers put a runner in scoring position just twice. They capitalized one of their opportunities, however.
Catcher Monica Pardo walked to open the bottom of the fourth inning and was pinch-run for by Meagen Dontrich. Left fielder Jennifer Owens laid down a sacrifice bunt to move Dontrich over to second. Dontrich advanced to third on a passed ball. Two batters later, Crystal Boyer brought the winning run across on a fielders choice.
Neither the Buckeyes nor Golden Panthers threatened again. Allen retired the Panthers in order in the fifth inning before handing the ball over to Kristi DeVries (Fr., Corona, Calif./Corona) in the sixth. DeVries struck out the side in her one inning of work.
