Ohio State Softball Beats Penn State, 4-1, in Game One – Ohio State Buckeyes
5/3/2003 12:00:00 AM | Softball
May 3, 2003
Box Score
The Ohio State softball team (26-22, 5-10 Big Ten) earned a 4-1 victory over Penn State (29-21, 8-9 Big Ten) Saturday afternoon at Buckeye Field. Sophomore Karisa Evans (So., Franklin, Ohio) went 2-for-3 and scored twice for the Buckeyes. Junior pitcher Kristi DeVries (Corona, Calif.), who went 2-for-3 at the plate, struck out seven Nittany Lion batters and was credited with the win to improve her overall record to 12-8. Penn State’s Marisa Hanson moved to 13-9 on the year.
The Buckeyes defense began the game with a solid effort by leaving three Penn State players on base. Ohio State continued the momentum into the bottom of the first by tallying five hits and three runs. Evans singled to left field and advanced home when senior Jenn Link (Yorba Linda, Calif.) nailed a triple to left field. Senior Rogeanna Hottinger (Newark, Ohio), who was 1-for-2, doubled to left field, which brought Link home for the second run of the game. Senior catcher Annie Dedic (Yorba Linda, Calif.) doubled to left field and scored Hottinger. Despite a single to centerfield by DeVries on the next play, Dedic was thrown out at home for the third out of the inning. In the bottom of the second inning, Penn State brought in Shana Riggleman to relieve Hanson.
Ohio State’s final run ook place in the bottom of the fifth. Evans doubled to left field and moved to second after Link reached first base due to a Penn State error by shortstop Mandy Nuxoll. Hottinger’s sacrifice bunt on the next play advanced Link and Evans to second and third, respectively. Senior Kristine Himes (Bolivar, Ohio) reached first base on a fielder’s choice and scored Evans, but Link was called out at home.
Penn State’s lone run of the game came in the top of the sixth. Gina Bianchini was sent in to pinch hit for Jackie Dabrowski and hit a single to centerfield. Bianchini advanced to second when teammate Erica Greenberg grounded out, took third on a passed ball and scored when Destinie Chavez singled to right field.
Penn State was unable to convert for the remainder of the game. The Buckeyes defense was solid at the top of the seventh by going three-up-three-down and clinching the conference win.
Ohio State wraps up the regular season with game two against Penn State at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 4, at Buckeye Field.
###Go Buckeyes!###
