Ohio State
Colorado State
Buckeyes Top Colorado State 9-8 – Ohio State Buckeyes
2/26/2012 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 26, 2012
CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. – The Ohio State softball team posted a 9-8 comeback victory in six innings vs. Colorado State Sunday morning in its final game at the 2012 Cathedral City Classic in Cathedral City, Calif. Win the win over the Rams, Ohio State improves to 9-5 overall in 2012.
The game was stopped after the sixth inning due to the Buckeyes’ travel plans back to Columbus. The contest vs. the Rams saw three lead changes that included 17 runs, 17 hits and two errors.
Down 8-7, the Buckeyes claimed the gamewinning play when senior tri-captain Alicia Herron blasted a triple that went passed the CSU shortstop all the way to left center field wall, allowing senior Katie Simonton to score from third base and freshman Taylor Watkinsto score from first base to give the squad the eventual 9-8 final score.
Senior Mikayla Endicottreceived the win to improve to 6-3 overall, throwing five innings, allowing two runs on six hits, while striking out one batter.
The Buckeyes didn’t wait around to get on the scoreboard, carrying their momentum from the 9-0 victory Saturday night into Sunday morning with a six-run first inning. All six runs were scored with two outs against CSU starter Kelli Eubanks. Melaina Saalfeld pinch-hit for freshman Maddy McIntyre and drew a walk with the bases loaded to give the Buckeyes a 1-0 lead. The Buckeyes then made it 3-0 after junior Megan Coletta knocked an two-run single through the left side, scoring Alicia Herron and Danielle LeBeau.
Sophomore Melissa Renniethen opened up the game when she launched a three-run home run over the left field wall to make it 6-0. The home run was her first long ball of 2012.
However, the Rams rebounded quickly with six runs on six hits in the top of the second, ending sophomore Melanie Nichols’day early in the circle. The Buckeye starter received a no decision, throwing 1.0 inning, allowing three earned runs on five hits with one strikeout.
Senior pitcher Mikayla Endicottcame into the game with two runners on base with the score 6-4 in favor of Ohio State. After claiming a fly out for the second out, CSU third baseman Chelsea Biglow sent an two-run single up the middle to score two runs to even the game, 6-6, before Alysa Greckel was thrown out at third base for the third out.
But the Buckeyes answered to take their second lead of the game in the bottom half when sophomore Evelyn Carrillopunched a double down the left field line to make it 7-6 after Herron scored on the play. The go-ahead hit was Carrillo’s first double of the season.
The Rams took an 8-7 lead in the top of the sixth after catcher Emily Pohl posted a one-out, two-run double against Endicott.
The Rams collected 11 hits, while the Buckeyes notched six hits.
UP NEXT
The Buckeyes continue their tournament schedule next weekend with five games at the Citrus Classic March 2-4 in Orlando, Fla.
