Softball Rallies to Defeat Northwestern, 4-3 – Ohio State Buckeyes
3/31/2001 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 31, 2001
Box Score
COLUMBUS, Ohio–The Ohio State softball team (24-11 overall, 1-2 Big Ten) used a four-run rally in the bottom of the seventh inning to overcome a 3-0 deficit and hand Northwestern (9-12 overall, 2-1) its first conference loss of the season in game one of a two-game Big Ten series.
Jenn Link (So., Yorba Linda, Calif./Sonora) started the inning by reaching first on an error by Wildcat third baseman Gretchen Barnes. Anna Smith (Jr., Walnut, Calif./Diamond Bar) followed with a bunt single. Stacy Roth (Jr., Wauseon, Ohio/Wauseon) drew a walk to load the bases. Kristine Himes (So., Bolivar, Ohio/Tuscarawas Valley) also walked, scoring Link. Wendy Allen reached on a fielder’s choice. Smith was thrown out at home on the play. After Kristi DeVries (Fr., Corona, Calif./Corona) hit a ground ball to third, Barnes’ throw to home grazed the back of Roth, who was streaking home from third. The ball ricocheted to the backstop, allowing Himes to score from second and tied the game.
Amy Ellis (Jr., Erie, Pa./Ball State) hit a ground ball to third. Allen beat the throw home, sliding under the tag to give the Buckeyes their first conference win of the season.
Northwestern scored all three of its runs in the fourth inning on three hits and two OSU errors.
Katie Chain (So., North Canton, Ohio/Hoover) picked up the win for OSU, improving her record to 10-5. She gave up seven hits and struck out six in the complete-game win. Lauren Schwendimann took the loss for the Wildcats. Her record is now 0-3. Smith and DeVries each collected a pair of hits for the Buckeyes. Rogeanna Hottinger (So., Newark, Ohio/Newerk) accounted for the other OSU hit.
OSU will play host to Northwestern at Buckeye Field again tomorrow at 1 p.m.
