Softball Cuts Down Lumberjacks, 8-0, at Houston Invitational – Ohio State Buckeyes
2/15/2002 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 15, 2002%^$
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%^$HOUSTON, Texas- The Ohio State softball team won its second game of the Houston Invitational in a run-rule shortened contest, 8-0, over the Lumberjacks of Stephen F. Austin Friday. The win improved OSU’s record to 6-1 on the year while SFAU fell to 3-6. The Buckeyes pounded out 13 hits to the Lumberjacks’ one with Wendy Allen (So., Moreno Valley, Calif./Moreno Valley) going the distance striking out six and allowing four base runners on one hit and three walks. Allen also helped her own cause going 1-of-2 at the plate with a home run.%^$
%^$”We were able to get most of kids out there and get them some at bats today,” Linda Kalafatis, OSU head coach, said. “Those players came through for us in their at bats and scored some runs. Wendy had a no hitter going into the last inning and that was after probably not throwing her best game at the beginning. She settled down and got the win. I don’t think any of our players have thrown their best game yet so it is nice to see her get into a rhythm.”%^$
%^$OSU knocked out four doubles, two by Breana Pozzi (So., Petaluma, Calif./Casa Grande) in the eighth spot in the batting order, and four batters tallying two hits or more. Pozzi led the way with three and Allen, Kristine Himes (Jr., Bolivar, Ohio/Tuscarawas Valley) and Annie Dedic (Jr., Yorba Linda, Calif./Fulleton JC) collecting two hits each.%^$
%^$After a walk and three-consecutive outs, including the final two on a double play, for the Lumberjacks, the Buckeye offense went to work. Jennifer Link (Jr., Yorba Linda, Calif./Sonora) grounded out to short stop and Anna Smith (Sr., Walnut, Calif./Diamond Bar) reached on an error to start the inning. Allen lined out to left field when OSU started to send the ball flying. Sarah West (Sr., Galloway, Ohio/Hilliard Davidson) singled and reached second on an error to allow Smith to score the first run of the game. Chrissy Fowler (Sr., Utica, Ohio/Wright State) followed with a single of her own and combined with West and Himes, who walked, to load the bases for Dedic. She responded with a single to drive in West and Fowler. The inning ended as the play progressed when Himes was thrown out heading home.%^$
%^$With a 3-0 lead, the Buckeyes sent SFAU down in order to allow OSU to go back on the offensive. Pozzi led off with a double and scored two batters later when Link singled and left fielder Yvette Bass committed an error. Link stole second and came around to score when Allen doubled to bring the score to 5-0.%^$
%^$Another three-and-out inning for the Lumberjacks made way to a one run inning for the Buckeyes. With one out, Himes doubled and came in to score on a single by Dedic. Pozzi added a single but was stranded at the end of the inning. BJ Cruff opened the fourth for SFAU with a walk but two pop flies and Allen’s fourth strike out of the game ended the threat.%^$
%^$Neither team produced much in the fifth inning paving the way for the final stanza. The Lumberjacks went down in order to open the sixth. Leading 7-0 and needing one run to gain the automatic win, Allen deposited a Devin Cobb over the fence in straightaway center to give the Buckeyes an eight-point advantage and the 8-0 win.%^$
%^$OSU returns to action Saturday at noon EST when it faces Sam Houston State. The Buckeyes also face McNeese State at 6 p.m. EST in the final game of pool play. Bracket competition begins at 10 a.m. EST Sunday.%^$
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%^$ 1 2 3 4 5 6 R H E%^$Lumberjacks 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 4%^$Buckeyes 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 13 0%^$
%^$WP: Wendy Allen (2-1)%^$LP: Moore (0-1)%^$SV: Kristi DeVries (1)
