Ohio State Drops 6-0 Tournament Finale to Coastal Carolina – Ohio State Buckeyes
3/5/2006 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 5, 2006
Box Score
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Ohio State softball team ended its stay at the Hampton Inn Crimson Classic with a 6-0 loss to Coastal Carolina Sunday in the Buckeyes’ final game in Alabama. Three Ohio State pitchers combined to walk a season-high eight batters as the Buckeyes dip back under the .500 mark at 9-10, while Coastal Carolina improves to 2-12.
Ohio State junior Nycole Koyano (Walnut, Calif./Walnut) and freshman Kim Reeder (Fr., Salinas, Calif./Notre Dame H.S.) were named to the all-tournament team. Reeder won two of the Buckeyes’ three games during the tournament, including one over sixth-ranked Alabama, while Koyano batted .313 with a team-high five hits and four stolen bases.
Following pool play Saturday afternoon, Ohio State earned the No. 2 seed and host Alabama the No. 1 seed. Both squads won their semifinal games Saturday evening but because of travel arrangements the Buckeyes were forced to give up their spot in the 1 p.m. championship game.
Ohio State shut out Coastal Carolina, 3-0, in its first game in Alabama Friday behind a one-hit, 12 strikeout performance by junior Jamee Juarez (La Puente, Calif./Wilson), but it was CCU pitcher Brittany Nelson who shined in the circle Sunday, striking out eight and scattering five hits.
A bases loaded triple by CCU’s Kristina Sheppard with two outs and a full count in the top of the third inning put the Lady Chanticleers up, 3-0, and chased Reeder from the game. OSU reliever Courtney Pruner (Fr., Akron, Ohio/Ellet) worked 2.1 innings, allowing one run, before Juarez came on to pitch the final two innings, allowing three runs.
Senior Stacy Hibma (Buena Park, Calif./Valley Christian) doubled with two outs in the bottom of the second inning for the Buckeyes’ first hit, but was stranded at second base, as was Juarez when she led off the third inning with a double of her own.
Koyano and junior Megan Schwab (Glendale, Ariz./Sunrise Mountain) both singled in the sixth inning but Nelson was able to work out of the jam.
Ohio State will travel to the Evansville Tournament next weekend for games Saturday and Sunday against Evansville and No. 22 Louisville.
### GO BUCKS! ###
