Ohio State Takes on Purdue and Indiana at Buckeye Field – Ohio State Buckeyes
4/26/2007 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 26, 2007
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SETTING THE SCENE
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Playing their first Big Ten home games in nearly a month, the Ohio State softball team is back at Buckeye Field this weekend for games against Purdue and Indiana. The Buckeyes (27-15, 8-2 Big Ten), who are tied for first in the conference standings with Michigan, take on the Boilermakers (28-29-1, 6-7 Big Ten) at 6 p.m. Friday and noon Saturday, followed by a doubleheader at noon Sunday against the Hoosiers (20-27, 1-13 Big Ten).
Ohio State was rained out Wednesday against Miami in a doubleheader that kicked off what was supposed to be an eight-game homestand. That stretch will now include six games at Buckeye Field, where Ohio State is 8-0 this season.
Last weekend, the Buckeyes went 3-1 on their third-consecutive weekend on the road inside the Big Ten, sweeping Illinois and splitting with Iowa, teams that were a combined 13-7 in the Big Ten before meeting up with Ohio State.
Following this weekend, Ohio State hosts Wright State at 3 p.m. Tuesday, travels to Akron at 5 p.m. Wednesday and hosts Penn State Saturday and Sunday to wrap up the regular season. The Big Ten tournament will be hosted May 10-12 by the league’s regular-season champion.
FIVE WARM-UP PITCHES
1. Ohio State is tied for first atop the Big Ten standings with No. 9 Michigan. Both teams play their final six Big Ten games at home.
2. Last year, the Buckeyes split the season series at Purdue and Indiana. Ohio State has not lost to Indiana in Columbus since 2000.
3. Ohio State is in the midst of a six-game homestand. It was originally an eight-game stand but Wednesday’s DH vs. Miami was rained out for OSU’s eighth cancellation.
4. OSU senior Jamee Juarez is the current Big Ten Pitcher of the Week and has struck out 46 batters in her last 21.2 innings with only one walk.
5. The Buckeyes are 22-5 this season when they score first.
BUCKEYES ON TV, LIVE ON THE WEB
Friday night’s game against Purdue will be televised locally by the Columbus Sports Network, with Todd Bell calling the play-by-play and former Buckeye pitcher and assistant coach Belinda Quisenberry adding commentary. Check out www.ColumbusSportsNetwork.com for programming information and air times. CSN will also televise the Ohio State-Penn State game May 6.
Ohio State’s student radio station will broadcast the Friday game against Purdue and the Sunday doubleheader against Indiana live on the internet at www.OhioStateSports.com. Josh Ellis and Dylan Horowitz will call the action. GameTracker will have live statistics at www.OhioStateBuckeyes.com. Links are found on the schedule page.
OHIO STATE AT BUCKEYE FIELD
Ohio State is 8-0 at home this season and is batting .399 with a 1.48 earned run average. Last year at Buckeye Field, Ohio State went 21-2, batted .350 as a team and owned a 1.58 staff earned run average.
Ohio State is 100-10 (.909) in non-conference games at Buckeye Field since 11th-year head coach Linda Kalafatis took over the program in 1997. The Buckeyes have won 25-consecutive home non-conference games in a streak that dates back to April 21, 2004 when Kentucky nipped Ohio State, 4-3. Ohio State is 304-121 all-time at Buckeye Field since the facility opened in 1988. That mark includes a 120-97 record in Big Ten games and a 184-24 record in non-league games.
BUCKEYES ATOP THE BIG TEN
The Buckeyes are 8-2 in the Big Ten and in a first-place tie with No. 8 Michigan. Ohio State plays its final three Big Ten opponents at home, which include Purdue (6-7), Indiana (1-13) and Penn State (3-5). The Wolverines are also home for their final three opponents, including Minnesota (2-5), Wisconsin (5-7) and Michigan State (2-8).
Ohio State and Michigan did not meet this season after getting snowed out in Ann Arbor April 8. By rule, Big Ten games are not rescheduled. The Buckeyes’ two league losses were at Northwestern (11-3) and Iowa (9-5), while UM lost at Northwestern and Illinois (7-5). Last week, Ohio State was in sole possession of first place in the Big Ten for the first time since April 22, 2002, when Ohio State was in first place at 13-3.
BIG TEN NAIL-BITERS ARE THE NORM
Of Ohio State’s 10 conference games so far this season, only two have been decided early. Other than those two, the Buckeyes were tied or trailed late in every league game. In fact, other than two lopsided wins (8-4 vs. Minnesota March 31 and 9-2 vs. Wisconsin April 1), the only two Big Ten games in which Ohio State led after five innings were a 5-3 win in nine innings at No. 7 Northwestern April 13 (OSU led 3-0 after 5 but NU tied the game in the sixth) and last Sunday when the Buckeyes led just 1-0, a game they would win by that same score.
OHIO STATE AT A GLANCE
The Buckeyes have won 13 of their last 16 games and 18 of their last 24. After an 11-day layoff that saw eight games cancelled because of weather, Ohio State returned to the field April 13 with an impressive win at No. 7 Northwestern. The Buckeyes also own signature wins on neutral fields over then-No. 22 Fresno State, then-No. 17 Cal and then-No. 26 Virginia Tech.
Ohio State is hitting .280 as a team, compared to .234 by its opponents. The pitching staff owns a 2.68 ERA, which is more than a full run lower than the opposition (3.83).
At the plate, the Buckeyes are led by freshman Sam Marder (.372, 9 HR, 38 RBI) and junior Brittany Vanderink (.324, 14 SB). Four other Buckeyes are batting over .285, including sophomore Courtney Pruner (.296, 6 HR, 29 RBI), and seniors Christina Douglas (.295), Jamee Juarez (.292) and Nycole Koyano (.287).
In the circle, Juarez (13-8, 1.81 ERA) and sophomore Kim Reeder (12-6, 2.95 ERA) have combined to start 39 of Ohio State’s 42 games. See later note regarding Juarez’s career records.
Ohio State has 10 letterwinners and eight starters back from its 2006 squad that went 39-23 and 11-7 in the Big Ten and went to the Tucson Regional of the NCAA tournament. The Buckeyes have led the Big Ten in batting the last two years. Head coach Linda Kalafatis is in her 11th year at Ohio State and is one of three coaches in the Big Ten with more than 600 wins. Since 2000, the Buckeyes are 287-161 for a .641 winning percentage, which ranks third in the Big Ten during that time.
ACADEMIC NOMINATIONS GO TO THREE BUCKEYES
Three Buckeyes were nominated this week for the Academic All-America Team, which is sponsored by ESPN The Magazine and selected by CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors of America). Seniors Lauren Daykin (communication) and Christina Douglas (health management) and sophomore Kim Reeder (communication) met the criteria, which include at least a 3.20 cumulative grade point average and a sophomore or older status. An all-district team will be announced in about three weeks, with first-team selections moving on to the national ballot. Daykin was a second-team Academic All-District selection last year.
PRACTICE SWINGS…
The Buckeyes own a .957 fielding percentage overall this season, but improve that to a Big Ten-best .979 in conference games. Of 280 fielding chances in Big Ten games, Ohio State has committed only six errors.
Ohio State is 10-5 in one-run games and won three such contests last weekend on the road in the Big Ten (at Illinois twice, at Iowa).
Ohio State is 19-2 when leading after five innings. OSU is 22-5 when scoring first. OSU is 14-4 when scoring in the first inning and scored in the first inning in five consecutive games from April 18-22. When the Buckeyes score first and go on to out-hit their opponent, they are 16-1, with the only loss coming in eight innings at Cal State Fullerton March 24.
When the bases are loaded, the Buckeyes are batting .321 (17-53) with two grand slams (Marder, Pruner). With a runner on third and less than two outs, Ohio State bats at a .571 clip (52-91). How good is the top of Ohio State’s lineup? The Buckeyes have outscored their opponents 39-15 in the first inning this season and 39-18 in the third inning.
JUAREZ REWRITING RECORD BOOKS, NAMED BIG TEN PITCHER OF THE WEEK
Not many pitchers at any level have had a week quite like Ohio State senior Jamee Juarez experienced last week. On Wednesday, she threw her first collegiate perfect game in a 13-0 win over IUPUI and became the Buckeyes’ all-time innings pitched leader. Then on Sunday she shut out Iowa, 1-0, for her third Big Ten win of the weekend and an OSU record 68th career win.
In four appearances last week, Juarez struck out 46 batters in 21.2 innings pitched. The Big Ten recognized Juarez’s efforts by naming her the league’s pitcher of the week Monday. She leads the league by far in strikeout to walk ratio at 7.5-to-1 (Michigan’s Lorilyn Wilson is second at 5.4-to-1).
The perfect game against IUPUI was Juarez’s third career no-hitter and second of the season. In the OSU career record book, Juarez ranks first in wins (68), first in innings pitched (692.1), second in strikeouts (672, 30 shy of record), second in shutouts (24, 2 shy of record) and third in complete games (61). Of Juarez’s eight losses this season, five have come to No. 1 Arizona, No. 5 Arizona State, No. 7 Northwestern, No. 9 Oklahoma and No. 26 Virginia Tech.
In addition, Juarez ranks third all-time at Ohio State in runs batted in with 115 and sixth in doubles with 37.
A LOOK AT THE BOILERMAKERS
Purdue (28-29-1, 6-7 Big Ten) is coming off a sweep of Michigan State Sunday in West Lafayette and was rained out against Ball State Wednesday. In all games, the Boilermakers have a better team batting average than Ohio State (.283 to .280) and have drawn 170 walks this season, tied for first in the Big Ten. Purdue is led at the plate by junior Ashley Hall (.401, 36-44 SB leads Big Ten) and sophomore Katie Mitchell (.380, 13 HR, 47 RBI 2nd in Big Ten). Senior Brooke Baker (21-15, 2.42 ERA) has earned the win in five of the team’s six Big Ten victories. Purdue is led by second-year head coach Kim Maher and has four starters and 11 letterwinners back from its 2006 team that went 30-30 overall and 7-12 in the Big Ten.
OHIO STATE VS. PURDUE
The Buckeyes are 13-9 all-time against the Boilermakers and own a 7-6 record against Purdue at Buckeye Field. These teams have split the season series the last two years after Ohio State won five in a row in the series from 2001-04. The Boilermakers last swept Ohio State in 1999 in Columbus.
LAST YEAR: OSU, PURDUE SPLIT
Last year in West Lafayette, Ohio State shut out Purdue in game one of a doubleheader, 3-0, but dropped game two, 4-1. OSU’s Kim Reeder threw her first collegiate shutout in the opener and held Purdue to three hits, while Christina Douglas and Megan Schwab had RBI. In game two, the Buckeyes led early, 1-0, but the Boilermakers used the long ball to pull off the come-from-behind victory. Jamee Juarez tossed 5.1 innings for Ohio State and Courtney Pruner worked the final 1.2 innings.
SCOUTING THE HOOSIERS
After going to the NCAA tournament last year, Indiana (20-27, 1-13 Big Ten) owned a 17-12 record as of March 25, but the Hoosiers have gone 3-15 since then. Indiana owns the second-best fielding percentage in the Big Ten (.976), but ranks 11th in pitching (4.10 ERA) as the Hoosiers have attempted to replace a pair of senior pitchers who threw 378.2 of 388.0 possible innings last year. Junior Jennilee Huddleston (.357, 14 2B) leads the Hoosier offense, while sophomore Monica Wright (13-16, 3.58 ERA) is tops in the circle. Seven starters and 14 letterwinners are back for IU, which went 30-25-1 overall last year and 8-9 in the Big Ten. Stacey Phillips is in her third year in Bloomington.
OHIO STATE VS. INDIANA
Ohio State is 27-50-2 all-time against Indiana and 12-14 against the Hoosiers at Buckeye Field. The Buckeyes have won four in a row against Indiana in Columbus, but split the series in Bloomington in 2004 and last year. The Hoosiers’ last sweep at Buckeye Field was in 1996.
LAST YEAR: BUCKEYES SPLIT AT IU
These teams met in their Big Ten opener last year in Bloomington, with Indiana winning 4-1 as IU held Ohio State to four hits. In game two, the Buckeyes topped the Hoosiers 6-3 led by a grand slam from then-senior Billie Carder in the second inning. Then-freshman Kim Reeder struck out 10 in the win, her career-high at the time.
BUCKEYES-OPPONENTS CONNECTIONS
Purdue soph. P Ashley DiDomenico is from Youngstown, Ohio. Two Buckeyes are also from northeast Ohio, including jr. 2B Brittany Vanderink (Hiram) and soph. RF Courtney Pruner (Akron). Five Boilermakers are from California, while eight Buckeyes are from the sunshine state. Ohio State fr. P Megan Miller and Indiana jr. C Tory Yamaguchi are both from Woodland Hills, Calif.
BUCKEYES IN THE BIG TEN
As of April 26: In overall offensive statistics, Ohio State ranks eighth in the Big Ten in batting (.280), fifth in pitching (2.68 ERA) and eighth in fielding (.957). Freshman Sam Marder leads the Big Ten in on base percentage (.530), is second in walks (33, 2nd in nation), seventh in slugging percentage (.699) and 11th in batting average (.372) and RBI (38). Senior Nycole Koyano ranks second in triples (5, 6th in nation) and tied for ninth in stolen bases (13). Junior Brittany Vanderink is tied for seventh in thefts (14).
In Big Ten games only, Ohio State ranks fourth in batting (.294), fifth in pitching (3.15 ERA) and first in fielding (.979 fielding pct.). Senior Christina Douglas ranks 10th in batting (.423) and tied for third in sacrifice bunts (4).
Among the league’s pitchers, in all games senior Jamee Juarez is tied for first in saves (3), fifth in ERA (1.81), tied for third in strikeouts (165), second in fewest walks allowed (22), eighth in opposing batting average (.226), tied for ninth in wins (13) and ninth in innings pitched (131.2). Sophomore Kim Reeder ranks seventh in opposing batting average (.224). Reeder and Juarez’s rankings in Big Ten games only are nearly identical.
WE’RE GOING STREAKING…
Senior Christina Douglas and freshman Sam Marder both extended their career-best hit streaks to 10 games last weekend before seeing them halted Sunday at Iowa. Despite the end of their streaks, Douglas is batting .419 (13-31) in her last 12 games and Marder is batting .444 (16-36) in her last 11 games.
Junior Brittany Vanderink had a team-best 12-game hitting streak going until April 13 at Northwestern. She has hit safely in 24 of her last 27 games. Other Buckeyes hot at the plate include senior Jamee Juarez (.412, 14-34, last 11 games) and sophomore Courtney Pruner (.546, 12-22, last eight games).
RECORD BOOK WATCH
In addition to senior Jamee Juarez (see earlier note), several other Buckeyes are moving up the career record charts. Senior Nycole Koyano owns 106 walks, which rank second in OSU history and are 12 shy of the school record. She ranks second all-time in stolen bases (71) and third all-time in runs scored (145). If Koyano leads the Buckeyes in runs this season, she will be the first to do that all four years.
Senior Megan Schwab is tied for second all-time with 45 doubles and fourth with 18 home runs. Schwab’s 108 RBI are fourth and her 116 runs scored are sixth. She has started 105 consecutive games for the Buckeyes, the longest streak on the team.
Sam Marder’s 33 walks and 36 RBI this season are already OSU freshman records. Her nine homers are one shy of the frosh record.
Five Buckeyes rank among the Top 15 in career batting average at Ohio State, including Brittany Vanderink (.335), Liz Caputo (.321), Nycole Koyano (.314), Megan Schwab (.313) and Jamee Juarez (.302).
OSU COMING OFF 3-1 ROAD TRIP
Ohio State is coming off its third-consecutive Big Ten road trip, but it was a successful one with a sweep at Illinois and a split at Iowa. All three OSU wins came by one run. The 7-6 win Friday at Illinois was a come-from-behind effort in the top of the seventh and the other two wins involved scoring late to break a tie game.
Jamee Juarez had the win in all three OSU victories (see previous note) and struck out 34 batters against only one walk in 16.2 innings pitched. At the plate, Sam Marder led the way with a .429 average (6-14), while Courtney Pruner batted .400 (4-10) with four RBI.
HEAD COACH Linda Kalafatis
Head coach Linda Kalafatis is in her 11th season at Ohio State and in her 19th season as a collegiate head coach. She is OSU’s all-time wins leader (361-247, .591) and is one of three Big Ten coaches with more than 600 career wins (634-362-2, .634). Six times the Buckeyes have won at least 30 games under Kalafatis, who has guided OSU to the NCAA tournament three times (2002, 2004, 2006). She is assisted by former collegiate All-Americans Ali Viola (Nebraska) and Erica Beach (Arizona State).
BUCKEYE FIELD TO GET $5.1M FACELIFT
Buckeye Field, home of Ohio State softball since 1988, will get a $5.1 million renovation as soon as the 2007 season is over. The new 1,500 seat stadium will include indoor and outdoor batting cages, a three-plate bullpen, 650-square foot press box, player clubhouse, lounge and locker room, new dugouts, coaches and umpires locker room and a concession area.
Noting the Buckeyes…
Buckeyes in the Circle
OSU Pitchers: Lead Big Ten lead in saves (6), rank 5th in the Big Ten in ERA (2.68), 4th in strikeouts per game (6.9) and 3rd in fewest walks per game (2.3) … own 21 complete games, 7 shutouts and 4 no-hitters in 42 outings this season … have thrown 19 cg in last 32 g … no-hitters have come from Reeder (2) and Juarez (2, including a perfect game 4/18 vs. IUPUI).
Jamee Juarez, sr., RHP (13-8, 3 s, 1.81 ERA, 165 K, 131.2 IP)
In 2007: Current Big Ten pitcher of the week … last week went 4-0 with 46 K in 21.2 IP (1 BB, 14 H, 3 ER, 0.97 ERA) … set 2 OSU career records last week – IP 692.1, W 68 … threw 1st career perfect game 4/18 vs. IUPUI (5 IP, 12 K) … leads Big Ten with 7.5-to-1 strikeout to walk ratio … 5-1 in Big Ten with 2.14 ERA, 54 SO, 5 BB … has won 9 of last 10 decisions … leads staff in K (#3 in Big Ten) … K totals in last 4 app. – 12, 11, 11, 12 … is among Big Ten leaders (see below) and closing in on OSU career records for K (needs 30) and shutouts (needs 2) … threw no-hitter 3/18 vs. Oakland (13 SO) … 5 of her losses have come to #1 Ariz., at #5 Ariz. St., #9 Okla., #26 VaTech and at #7 Northwestern … threw complete game 4-hitter in 2-1 win vs. No. 22 Fresno St. 2/23.
In the Big Ten (as of 4/26): t-1st saves, 5th in ERA, t-3rd in K, t-9th wins, 2nd in fewest BB (22), 8th in opp. avg. (.226), 9th IP.
2007 highs: Innings: 7.2; Hits: 11; Runs: 5; Earned runs: 4; Walks: 4; Strikeouts: 13.
2007 lows: Innings in a start: 3.0; Hits in 5 inn.: 0; Hits in 6 inn.: 7; Hits in 7 inn.: 0; Hits in +7 inn.: 4 (7.2 IP).
Career statistics: 68-41, 2.03 ERA, 672 K, 692.1 IP, 61 CG … 4-for-5 in save opps.
Career highlights: OSU MVP last two years … OSU’s all-time leader in IP and W … ranks 2nd all-time at OSU in shutouts (24) … set OSU single-season wins record as soph. (25). 2006 Recap: 17-11, 2.48 ERA, 196 SO, 189.1 IP … 2nd-team All-Big Ten … threw 10-inning shutout of Auburn in NCAA tournament (2nd of her career) … 10th in Big Ten in IP, 7th in K and 10th in wins (tied with OSU’s Reeder) … threw 1st career no-hitter 3/24 at Long Beach State.
Kim Reeder, so., RHP (12-6, 2 s, 2.95 ERA, 109 K, 121.0 IP)
In 2007: 2 no-hitters this season (3/3 at UAB, 3/18 vs. Oakland) … Big Ten Pitcher of the Week March 13 … among Big Ten leaders (see below) … leads staff in opp. batting avg. (.224) … won at #7 Northwestern 4/13 (8 IP, 6 H, 3 ER) … threw 9 K, 7 hit complete-game win vs. Wisconsin 4/1 … shut out No. 26 VaTech 3/10 (7 IP, 3 H) … threw 2-hitter in 3-1 win over BSC March 4 … went 25.1 straight innings without allowing an earned run 3/3 thru 3/9 … threw 11-strikeout cg in win vs. BYU 2/23 … had win vs. Cal 2/24 with 4.2 innings of 1-run relief … had win in season-opener vs. New Mexico (5.2 IP, 6 K) … UAB Magic City Classic all-tourn. team.
In the Big Ten (as of 4/26): 7th opp. avg. (.224)
2007 highs: Innings: 8.0; Hits: 8; Runs: 7; Earned runs: 6; Walks: 8; Strikeouts: 11.
2007 lows: Innings in a start: 2.2; Hits in 5 inn.: 3; Hits in 6 inn.: 4; Hits in 7 inn.: 0.
Career statistics: 28-17, 2.33 ERA, 267 K, 300.2 IP … 4-for-4 in save opps.
2006 Recap: 16-11, 1.91 ERA, 158 SO, 179.2 IP … tied OSU freshman wins record … allowed 1 earned run in 15.2 innings vs. Top 10 opponents … threw 4 3-hit shutouts in April … led staff in ERA … among OSU frosh pitchers all-time, 179.2 innings pitched is 3rd, 158 strikeouts 2nd, 1.91 ERA 10th, 4 shutouts tied-3rd, 15 complete games tied-third … 5-3 in Big Ten, 1.56 ERA … Crimson Classic All-Tourn. Team 3/5, including a 3-1 win at #6 Alabama 3/3.
Megan Miller, fr., RHP (2-1, 1 S, 4.87 ERA, 14 K, 27.1 IP)
In 2007: Pitched shutout over IUPUI 4/18 in 1st career home start (7 IP, 3 H, 4 K) … threw 0.2 inn. of no-hit relief at #7 Northwestern 4/14 … threw 1 inn. vs. Minnesota 3/31 (2 earned runs) … of OSU’s 2 wins at season-opening ASU Kajikawa Classic, Miller had the win in one and the save in the other … became 3rd OSU freshman ever to pitch in 5-straight games … got win in 9-3 over Northridge Feb. 10 with 4 innings of one-run relief … made 1st collegiate start Feb. 24 vs. Cal (2.1 IP, no decision) … had save in 4-3 season-opening win over New Mexico (1.1 IP, 0 R) … tossed 2 innings of scoreless relief at No. 5 Arizona State Feb. 11.
2007 highs: Innings: 7.0; Hits: 5; Runs: 6; Earned runs: 5; Walks: 2; Strikeouts: 4.
2007 lows: Innings in a start: 2.1; Hits in 5 inn.: N/A; Hits in 6 inn.: N/A; Hits in 7 inn.: 3.
Courtney Pruner, so., LHP (0-0, 12.00 ERA, 2 K, 2.1 IP)
In 2007: Threw 1.1 innings of no-hit relief at #7 Northwestern 4/14 … pitched 2/9 vs. #1 Arizona (0.0 IP, 4 ER), 2/25 vs. #9 Oklahoma (0.2 IP) and vs. Wisconsin Apr. 1 (0.1 IP).
2007 highs: Innings: 1.1; Hits: 3; Runs: 4; Earned runs: 4; Walks: 1; Strikeouts: 1.
2007 lows: Innings in a start: N/A; Hits in 5 inn.: N/A; Hits in 6 inn.: N/A; Hits in 7 inn.: N/A.
Career statistics: 6-1, 3.43 ERA, 50 SO, 53 IP.
2006 Recap: 6-1, 2.96 ERA, 49 SO, 52.0 IP … got 1st two collegiate wins on April 9 vs. #15 Northwestern, 1st in relief (1 IP, 3 K w/ bases loaded), then in 1st start (7 IP, 6 H, 7 K) … with runners on base, batters hit just .186 against her, best on the OSU staff (lowered to .143 in league games) … went 3-0 in Big Ten with 1.53 ERA … one of only 2 left-handed pitchers in the Big Ten (Wisconsin freshman Leah Vanevenhoven was the other).
Buckeyes at the Plate
#27 Cortney Cannon, soph., c, R/R (2 AB): 2007: started game 1 vs. IUPUI 4/18 at DP in 1st game back after missing 1st 36 games because of injury … Career: Saw action in 9 games last season … batted .300 (3-for-10) … started game 2 vs. Toledo 4/11 at DP (1-for-4, 2 RBI) … had a pinch-hit single vs. Wright St. 4/26.
#33 Liz Caputo, jr., cf, L/R (.262, 0 HR, 6 RBI): 2007: has started in CF all but 2 games and hit in the No. 9 spot in all but 3 games … went 3-for-5 in 2 games vs. IUPUI 4/18 … batting .444 (8-18) in home games … hit .333 (9-27) in 9 games from 3/21 to 4/1 … hit 6th inning game-winning RBI in 4-2 win over Minnesota 3/30 … went 4-for-7 in 2 games Feb. 24 (vs. Texas, vs. Cal) … went 2-for-2 in the season-opening win over New Mexico.
Career: .321 career hitter … was hit by a pitch in her first collegiate plate appearance, but not in 230 at bats since … 2nd-team all-region and All-Big Ten selection as a freshman … missed 51 games as a soph. because of broken tibia 2/19/06 … went 4-for-4 in the 2006 season-opener at New Mexico St. … had pinch-hit single vs. Michigan 4/22/06 in first at bat after the injury … as a freshman, batted .367 with 4 homers, 19 RBI, team-best .516 in league games … OSU’s 2005 Rookie of the Year … as a freshman, .710 slugging percentage and .516 on-base percentage in Big Ten games were best on the team … 7 RBI vs. Long Island 2/27/05 set OSU freshman record.
#21 Whitney Cooper, fr., ss, R/R (.156, 1 HR, 2 RBI): 2007: started at SS 1st 16 games … hit in the No. 8 spot 14 times when she started … homered against then-No. 1 Arizona’s Taryne Mowatt Feb. 10 in Tempe … played in both games vs. IUPUI 4/18 and went 1-for-1 at the plate … 40 defensive assists 3rd on team … 3 of 5 hits this season have come against ranked teams … had 5 assists in win over #22 Fresno State Feb. 23 … had 5 putouts in two different games.
#8 Lauren Daykin, sr., c/dp, R/R (.239, 0 HR, 11 RBI): 2007: had career-best 5 gm hit streak through 4/22 … went 3-for-7 with 4 RBI in 2 games vs. IUPUI 4/18 … had game-winning RBI in 1-0 win at Iowa 4/22 (sac fly) … had game-tying and game-winning RBIs in wins over Minnesota and Wisconsin (both doubles off the wall) … has started 26 games (18 C, 8 DP) and played in 27 games overall … has at least 1 hit in 9 of her last last 12 games … had 4 game hitting streak into 1st weekend of Big Ten play … 133 putouts rank 3rd on team … caught Jamee Juarez’s perfect game 4/18 vs. IUPUI.
Career: Career .244 hitter … native of Australia and a member of the junior national team … 2006 2nd-team Academic All-Region and Academic All-Big Ten … homered off Arizona All-American Alicia Hollowell in 2006 NCAA tournament … hit .275 in Big Ten games as a junior … upped avg. to .303 with runners in scoring position and led team in that dept. in Big Ten games (.556) … hit .636 (7-for-11) with a runner on third and less than two outs … started all 18 Big Ten games at catcher in 2006 … played junior college softball in Florida two years and hit 30 home runs.
#31 Christina Douglas, sr., 1b, L/L (.295, 1 HR, 16 RBI): 2007: OSU captain … batting team-best .529 at Buckeye Field this season … batting team-best .423 in Big Ten games, including .467 with runners on base … owned career-best 10 game hit streak through 4/22, during which time she is hit .419 (13-31) … is 9-for-10 with a runner on 3B and less than 2 outs … overall avg. ranks 4th on team … has committed only one error in last 174 chances … has started all but 3 games at 1B and played in all but one … went 2-for-3 with 2 RBI in win over #17 Cal 2/24 … hit 2-run HR in 9-3 win over Cal State Northridge 2/10.
Career: .269 career hitter with 9 HR, 72 RBI and 26 2B … has homered off two All-American pitchers – 4/22/06 vs. Michigan’s Jennie Ritter and 3/3/06 vs. Alabama’s Stephanie Van Brakle … hit .397 at Buckeye Field in `06 … led team with 10 sacrifice bunts as a junior … 2006 Buckeye Invitational all-tournament team … hit .293 as a soph. and .320 in Big Ten games … OSU’s 2005 Most Improved Player when she led team in doubles (12), was No. 2 in RBI and runs scored … played RF as freshman.
#1 Arlynda Flores, fr., UT, R/R (1 AB): 2007: caught final out of Jamee Juarez’s perfect game vs. IUPUI 4/18 … has played in 5 games (pinch-run in 1st 4 career games).
#44 Tory Haddad, fr., 3b/c, R/R (.130, 0 HR, 2 RBI): 2007: has started 10 games (8 at 3B, 2 at DP) and played in 16 overall … started both games at Northwestern last weekend … played in all 4 games in Birmingham March 3-4 and in 4 of 8 games last weekend in Clearwater … has team-high 4 pinch-hit at bats.
#22 Jamee Juarez, sr., RHP/3b, R/R (.292, 3 HR, 19 RBI): 2007: (Pitching notes above) … hit game-winning HR at Illinois 4/21 … batting .412 (14-34) in last 11 games … 2nd on team in success rate advancing runners (.575) … batting .520 at Buckeye Field … has started all 42 games (20 P, 22 3B) … hit walk-off HR in 3-2 win over Fordham March 8 … collected 100th career RBI Feb. 24 in win over #17 Cal … went 2-for-4 vs. #17 Cal to extend season-long hitting streak to 5 games … went 2-for-3 in season-opening win over New Mexico Feb. 10.
Career: OSU’s 2005 and 2006 MVP … .302 career hitter with 12 HR … ranks 3rd in OSU history with 115 RBI and fifth in 2B (37) … 2005 and 2006 2nd-team All-Big Ten … has played in 214 games in career (all but 3) … tied OSU and Big Ten record with 3 HR vs. #22 Oregon 2/25/06 … led 2006 team in multiple RBI games (10), bases loaded hits (5-12), 2-out RBI (14), average with a runner on third and less than 2 outs (.706) and was 2nd in doubles (11) … hit .397 at Buckeye Field in `05 … Buckeye Invitational all-tournament team … Big Ten Player of the Week twice in 2005 (2/22, 3/1) and Pitcher of the Week once (5/9).
#00 Nycole Koyano, sr., ss/2b, L/L (.287, 1 HR, 10 RBI): 2007: OSU’s leadoff hitter in all 42 games (reaches base as leadoff hitter at .403 rate) … in Big Ten games, leads team in average with runners in scoring position (.375, 3-8) … owned 6 game hitting streak 3/24 thru 4/1 (.455, 10-22) … leads team in runs (29), triples (5), multiple-hit games (14) and defensively in assists (63) … 2nd on team in stolen bases (13-15) … 3rd on team in on base pct. (.384) and success rate advancing runners (.518) … went 3-for-3 with HR in loss at UAB March 4 … batted team-best .429 in Tempe Feb. 9-11 to begin season … had game-winning RBI in 9-3 win vs. Northridge.
In the Big Ten (as of April 26): 2nd triples (5).
Career: .314 career hitter with 8 HR … aiming to be first Buckeye to lead team in runs 4 consecutive years … ranks 2nd in walks (106) and stolen bases (71-for-83) all-time at OSU and ranks 2nd in runs scored (145) … 2nd-team All-Big Ten and all-region as a junior … 3rd-team All-Big Ten as a soph. … co-captain as a junior … led Big Ten in stolen bases in `06 (26-for-32) … batted 3-for-9 in NCAA tournament … hit .373 (28-for-75) in last 23 games of 2006 with 4 HR … Crimson Classic all-tourn. team 3/5/06 after batting .333 in 5 games … grand slam in `06 season-opener … set OSU then-frosh. record for walks (27) and stolen bases (16) in 2004.
#4 Leah Ledford, fr., of, R/R (.071, 0 HR, 2 RBI): 2007: has started 4 games and played in 17 … started in RF for injured Courtney Pruner 4/20 at Illinois … drove in 2 runs in win over Oakland (gm2) March 18 … made 1st collegiate start March 9 vs. Hofstra (RF) … saw action in LF at No. 5 Arizona St. Feb. 11 when Megan Schwab left with an injury … has 4 pinch-hit at bats.
#13 Sam Marder, fr., c, R/R (.372, 9 HR, 37 RBI): 2007: Big Ten Player of the Week March 13 … featured in a Q&A on the Big Ten Web site March 14 … batting .444 (16-36) in last 11 games … owns OSU freshman RBI (37) and walks record (33) … owned career-best 10 gm hit streak through 4/22 … bats 3rd in line-up and has started all 42 games (24 C, 17 DP, 1 3B) … leads team in average with runners in scoring position (.389), HR, RBI, total bases (79), on-base percentage (.530), slugging percentage (.699), 2-out RBI (14), walks (2nd in Big Ten), average with runners on base (.400) and multiple-RBI games (12, next Buckeyes has only 6) … batting .409 at Buckeye Field and leads team in avg. in road games (.361) … her 1st 7 HR all came in her 1st 48 AB of season … batted .546 (10-for-22) in Clearwater March 8-11 with 3 doubles, 2 HR and 10 RBI … was walked school-record 5 times vs. Hofstra March 9 … UAB Magic City All-Tourn. Team March 4 … homered twice vs. #9 Oklahoma Feb. 25 … first OSU freshman to ever hit grand slam in first collegiate game (led OSU to 4-3 win over New Mexico Feb. 9).
Marder In the Big Ten (as of 4/26): 1st on base pct. (.530), 2nd BB (33) … 10th RBI (38) … 7th slg. pct. (.699).
#55 Megan Miller, fr., p, R/R (0 AB): 2007: (Pitching notes above).
#12 Michelle Reynolds-Parra, so., UT, L/R (0 AB): 2007: OSU’s top pinch-runner … has pinch-run in 30 games and scored 13 runs … scored in 5-3 win at #7 Northwestern 4/13 … scored game-winner vs. LIU 3/10 … scored in 4-0 win over No. 26 Virginia Tech 3/10.
#20 Courtney Pruner, soph., RF/DP/LHP, L/L (.296, 6 HR, 29 RBI): 2007: (Pitching notes above) … batting .546 (12-22) in last 8 games … 2nd on team in RBI and on base pct. (.410) … has started all but 5 games and played in all but 2 … homered twice at #7 Northwestern (Eileen Canney) in 5-3 win 4/13 … went 3-for-6 in split at NU … went 4-for-4 in DH vs. Oakland 3/18 … hit 7th-inning game-tying HR in eventual win over Long Island 3/10 … went 2-for-3 with two runs scored in that game … hit team-best .444 in Palm Springs Feb. 23-25 with HR, 5 RBI, 5 R … scored career high 3 runs in win over #17 Cal 2/24.
Career: Career .263 hitter with 13 homers … all-time HR leader in Ohio high school softball history … 7 HR in 2006 2nd-most ever by an OSU freshman, 4 triples tied for most … homered off Arizona All-American Alicia Hollowell 2/25/06 (her first run allowed in 51 innings) … 2nd in Big Ten in triples (4) as frosh. … 33 RBI 3rd-most by an OSU frosh and 29 runs ranked 5th … 2 HR at Miami 4/19/06 … 1st collegiate hit was HR (2/11 vs. Portland St.).
#7 Kim Reeder, soph., RHP, R/R (0 AB): 2007: (Pitching notes above). Career: Batted in 5 games (9 AB) in 2006 … had RBI single at Wisconsin April 30.
#9 Rebecca Schultz, fr., 3b, R/R (.000, 0 HR, 0 RBI): 2007: has started 14 games (12 3B, 2 DP) … OSU is 7-3 when she starts at third base … has seen action in 20 games overall (8 AB) … has 12 putouts, 15 assists and no errors.
#11 Megan Schwab, jr., lf, L/L (.254, 4 HR, 19 RBI): 2007: hitting .357 (10-28) in Big Ten games (2nd on team) … has started all 42 games in LF … batting .391 at Buckeye Field … leads team in doubles (9) and is 2nd in 2-out RBI (11) … went 3-for-4 in 9-2 win vs. Wisconsin 4/1, including 2 hits (hr, 1b) in 4th inning … drove in 100th career run March 11 in win over UMass … owned 6 game hitting streak 2/23 thru 3/3 … hit 3-run HR in near comeback vs. #10 Texas Feb. 24.
Career: .313 career hitter … 18 career homers (4th at OSU), 45 doubles (3rd) and 108 RBI (4th) … twice has hit 2 HR in a game (3/6/05 vs. Miss. St., 3/23/05 at Fullerton) … 2nd-team All-Big Ten/all-region as junior … started all 62 games in `06 and led team in on-base pct. (.415), slugging pct. (.492), hits (61), doubles (12), total bases (89), average with two out (.375), pct. advancing runners (.620) … went 3-for-10 in `06 NCAA tournament … Big Ten Player of the Week 4/10/06 … hit team-best .417 at Buckeye Field as junior … Buckeye Invitational all-tourn. team 3/19/06 … hit .362 as soph. with 7 HR and 33 RBI … 2005 first-team all-region and OSU’s co-Offensive MVP … led `05 Buckeyes in HR (7), RBI (33), total bases (81), multiple-hit games (14) and multiple-RBI games (11).
#17 Brittany Vanderink, jr., rf, L/R (.324, 0 HR, 8 RBI): 2007: bats 2nd for the Buckeyes … leads team in hits (45), at bats (139) and stolen bases (14-15) … has started all 42 games, including last 26 at 2B … 2nd on team in avg. and avg. with runners on base (.343) … batting .333 in Big Ten games … owned team-best 12 game hit streak 3/18 thru 4/1, during that time hitting .356 (16-45) … had 6 game hitting streak March 8-11 (.391, 9-for-23) … drove in go-ahead runs in 10-7 win over #17 Cal Feb. 24 … went 4-for-5 in 2 games Feb. 10 in Tempe.
In the Big Ten (as of April 26): T-7th SB (14).
Career: .335 career hitter … 2006 1st-team All-Big Ten and all-region … 44-for-47 in career stolen bases … was hit by pitches in back-to-back plate appearances vs. EMU 3/18/05, but not before nor in 348 at bats since … led `06 team in average (.359) overall and in Big Ten games (.459) … led `06 team in average with runners on base (.367) and with runners in scoring position (.391) … had career-best 13-game hitting streak in `06 (4th-best streak at OSU since 1998) … went 4-for-8 in the `06 NCAA tournament, including a 3-for-4 effort vs. Auburn May 18 which stands as OSU’s only 3-hit performance in NCAA tournament … Big Ten Player of the Week 5/1/06 … was the toughest Buckeye to strike out last year (once every 7.8 at bats) … went 4-for-4 at Iowa 4/28/06 … batted .311 as a freshman and upped that to .364 in Big Ten games … tied OSU single-season record for triples by a frosh (4).
### GO BUCKS! ###
