Ohio State Softball Falls to Michigan, 3-0, at NCAA Tournament – Ohio State Buckeyes
5/17/2002 12:00:00 AM | Softball
May 17, 2002
Box Score
ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The No. 20 Ohio State softball team got out of two bases loaded jams in its NCAA Region 6 contest with No. 11 Michigan at Alumni Field in Ann Arbor, Mich., Friday but a third attempt was not in order as the Buckeyes dropped their fifth game in a row to the Wolverines, 3-0. Wendy Allen (So., Moreno Valley, Calif./Moreno Valley) took the loss as the OSU bats could not get going and UM plated three runs in the bottom of the sixth for the win. The Buckeyes slipped to 54-13 on the year as the Wolverines improved to 48-9. In the season series, OSU has been outscored by UM, 23-7.
“It has been five in a row and we cannot seem to be able to figure out how to beat Michigan, in particular (Nicole) Motycka,” Linda Kalafatis, OSU head coach, said. “We certainly came in intending to make some adjustments and did not do that. I thought Wendy (Allen) threw a good game, maybe not her best, but a good game and stopped them in some critical situations with a lot of runners on. You cannot hold that team down for too long and they took advantage of a break. I think they lead the inning off the a walk that maybe opened the door for them a little bit. I know that Wendy pitched her guts out and threw with a lot of heart. We have to score runs to give her some support. I know we have the firepower to do it but we are not doing it.”
Anna Smith (Sr., Walnut, Calif./Diamond Bar) opened the game with a leadoff bunt single for her 103rd hit on the year, tied for the 11th-most in a single season in NCAA history. OSU went down in order after that and Smith was stranded. UM’s leadoff hitter Kelsey Kollen also reached with a bunt single and also was stranded. The Buckeyes would not get another hit until the seventh and managed just two base runners in the five innings leading up to the seventh.
OSU’s first defensive test came in the third. Kollen led off with a double to right and was joined on base when Megan Doe walked. Both runners advanced one base each on Stefanie Volpe’s sacrifice bunt. Monica Schock, who had a grand slam and a solo home run in the Wolverines’ first game of the national tournament, was then intentionally walked to load the bases with one out. Marissa Young then swung on the first pitch and popped out foul to Chrissy Fowler (Sr., Utica, Ohio/Wright State) in left field. With two down, Allen coaxed Melinda Moulden into a groundout to Kristine Himes (Jr., Bolivar, Ohio/Tuscarawas Valley) at third to end the inning.
After a 1-2-3 inning in the fourth, Kollen attacked again with a double and moved to third when Doe hit into a fielder’s choice at third. Himes tried to get the lead runner but the ball was dropped after the throw and both runners safely on base. Allen then got Volpe looking at a third strike for the first out before Schock was intentionally walked to load the bases with one out. Young came to the plate and again popped out, this time to Himes, on the first pitch. Moulden then flew out to Fowler in left to end the threat.
The magic ran out in the sixth though. Jessica Merchant led off with a walk and moved to second when Lisa Mack grounded into a fielder’s choice at third. Both runners were safe as Himes tried to pick off the lead runner unsuccessfully. Mary Conner put down a sacrifice bunt to advance the runners and Kolled was intentionally walked to pack the sacks with one out. Doe brought in one run with a single to left for her first RBI of the year and a 1-0 lead. After a pop out by Volpe, Schock walked in the second run before Young ended the scoring with a single to left. Fowler fielded the ball and came up gunning to pick off Doe trying to make it a 4-0 game.
In the top of the seventh, Stacy Roth (Sr., Wauseon, Ohio/Wauseon) led off with a single to third base to get things going. Himes followed with a double to right center for runners on second and third. Fowler singled to short and both runners advanced a base with Roth coming across to score, but Roth was sent back to third and Himes called out after it appeared she had interfered with the short stop on the single. With one out, UM brought in Young to pitch and replace Nicole Motycka. Young closed the game with two strikeouts to seal the fate of the Buckeyes.
The Buckeyes’ next game time and opponent have not been determined yet. OSU will play at 2 p.m. Saturday against the University of Washington if the No. 1 seed Huskies fall to No. 4 Central Michigan in the Friday evening nightcap. If the Huskies defeat the Chippewas in the first night game played in Alumni Field history, OSU will play at 7 p.m. Saturday against the loser of UW and UM.
