Ohio State Softball Pulls Away From Northern Illinois, 11-3 – Ohio State Buckeyes
3/20/2004 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 20, 2004
Box Score| Notes
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Scoring four runs in the third inning and five runs in the fourth inning, the Ohio State softball team erased a 3-2 deficit and cruised to an 11-3 mercy rule victory vs. Northern Illinois Saturday night in day two of the Buckeye Invitational. Ohio State (15-7) improves to 3-0 in its event this weekend and 16-0 all-time.
The Buckeyes produced 11 hits in the contest, including three from junior Ashley Cutcliff (Zionsville, Ind./University of Florida) and two each from junior Karisa Evans (Franklin, Ohio/Franklin) and freshman Jamee Juarez (La Puente, Calif./Wilson). Senior Beth McAbier (Carrollton, Ohio/Carrollton) drove in a game-high three runs.
The game was delayed 80 minutes by rain, the second such rain delay during the five-game schedule Saturday.
“I was worried about all the delays and how our players would respond,” Linda Kalafatis, Ohio State head coach, said. ” I challenged them and they answered. Except for one inning, I was pleased with our effort.”
Cutcliff’s first hit scored freshman Nycole Koyano (Walnut, Calif./Walnut) in the first inning, then McAbier delivered an RBI sacrifice fly in the second inning which scored sophomore Chelsea Baker (Gahanna, Ohio/DeSales) to put Ohio State up, 2-0.
Northern Illinois (7-16) scored three unearned runs in the top of the third inning to take a brief lead, but the Buckeyes responded with their back-to-back big innings to win for the 10th time in their last 11 games. The third inning was highlighted by an RBI double by Juarez and a two-RBI double by McAbier. The fourth inning saw Juarez drive in another run for her team-leading 19th RBI of the season, while Cutcliff added another RBI single, as well. Baker pitched the first three innings to earn her third consecutive win. She struck out three and allowed just two hits. Juarez worked a scoreless final two innings.
The final day of games at the Buckeye Invitational have been cancelled due to the cold and windy weather expected in Columbus Sunday. The 2004 Buckeye Invitational All-Tournament Team will be announced Sunday.
###Go Bucks!###
