Ohio State Drops 8-6 Decision to Central Florida – Ohio State Buckeyes
2/19/2006 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 19, 2006
Box Score
DeLAND, Fla. – The Ohio State softball team scored four runs in the seventh inning, but it was not enough to overcome a six-run deficit as the Buckeyes fell, 8-6, Sunday to Central Florida at the Stetson Softball Field. Ohio State (4-4) came up with six hits in its last at bat and senior Stacy Hibma (Buena Park, Calif./Valley Christian) had a career-best 4-for-4 day at the plate, but UCF (6-3) remained undefeated in the Stetson Tournament with three wins.
Senior Chelsea Baker (Gahanna, Ohio/DeSales) and junior Lauren Daykin (Melbourne, Australia/Manatee C.C., Fla.) hit solo home runs in the first and third inning, respectively, but UCF built an 8-2 lead heading into the seventh before the Buckeyes began their rally.
In addition to Ohio State’s six singles in the seventh inning was a CFU error that led to three of the Buckeyes’ runs being unearned. OSU out-hit the Golden Knights, 13-10, but dropped to 0-3 in the Stetson tournament.
OSU Junior pitcher Jamee Juarez (La Puente, Calif./Wilson) worked into the fifth inning before freshman Courtney Pruner (Akron, Ohio/Ellet) came on in relief and finished out the game. Juarez struck out five, while Pruner struck out one and allowed just one run in two innings.
The home run for Baker was the 10th of her career, which ties her for eighth all-time at Ohio State with Wendy Allen (2001-02), while the homer for Daykin was her first as a Buckeye. Daykin’s single in the seventh got things started for OSU, which also got singles from sophomore Brittany Vanderink (Hiram, Ohio/Crestwood), Baker, Hibma, senior Billie Carder (Celina, Ohio/Celina) and Juarez.
Hibma and Carder drove in runs with their hits in the seventh and junior Christina Douglas (Mesa, Ariz./Dobson) added an RBI ground out.
Ohio State will face tournament host Stetson at 1:15 p.m. Sunday. The Buckeyes travel to the Palm Springs Classic next weekend.
### GO BUCKS! ###
