Buckeyes Split Against Connecticut, Auburn – Ohio State Buckeyes

Friday, February 27

Auburn, Alabama

Ohio State

10-4

Auburn

19-1

Ohio State

Auburn

Buckeyes Split Against Connecticut, Auburn – Ohio State Buckeyes

2/28/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score

Feb. 28, 2015

Final Stats

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AUBURN, Ala.– Olivia O’Reilly pitched a three-hitter and allowed no earned runs as Ohio State (10-4) defeated Connecticut in its opening game of the Wilson/DeMarini Classic before falling to host Auburn in the nightcap.

Ohio State 5, Connecticut 1
Maddy McIntyre went 3-for-3 with two RBI and pitcher Olivia O’Reilly stymied the Connecticut offense, allowing just three hits over seven innings to earn her team-leading fifth win of the year.

After a scoreless first two innings, the Buckeyes’ offense broke through with a pair of solo home runs in the bottom of the third. Maddy McIntyre was the first to get into the act, sending a 3-2 pitch to deep left center, a shot that hit the upper right corner of the scoreboard. Two batters later, Caitlin Conrad connected on her team-leading fourth home run of the season, a blast to right centerfield.

The Buckeyes were able to push across two more runs in the bottom of the fourth, all coming with two outs. Erika Leonard started the rally by reaching on an error, and McIntyre followed with an RBI single to score Cammi Prantl, who had walked earlier in the inning. Keelia Nester then followed with a single through the right side, scoring Leonard.

That would be all the offense O’Reilly would need, as she allowed just three hits over seven innings. In the top of the seventh, Connecticut loaded the bases with no outs thanks to an error and back to back singles. A fielder’s choice was the first out, and then O’Reilly struck out Dominique Pinto and got Heather Fyfe to ground out to second.

O’Reilly has now won 13 of her last 14 decisions dating back to last season. In addition to McIntyre, the Buckeyes also got a three-hit performance from Nester (3-for-4, two RBI), who was moved up in the lineup to bat leadoff. Kirk drove in the Ohio State run in the sixth inning.

No. 16 Auburn 14, Ohio State 2
Auburn threatened in the bottom of the first after two singles and a walk loaded the bases. Starting pitcher Shelby Hursh, however, struck out Branndi Melero on a 3-2 pitch and then Conrad doubled up the Tigers to end the inning, catching a fly ball in right field and throwing out Tiffany Howard as she attempted to tag up from third.

In the bottom of the second, a three-run home run by Jade Rhodes gave the Tigers a 3-0 advantage. Auburn got baserunners on via back-to-back walks. Ohio State was able to get an out, but another three-run shot, this one coming from Kasey Cooper, made the score 6-0. Lena Springer then came on in relief of Hursh. Auburn tacked on four more runs for a 10-0 lead and then three more in the third inning for a 13-0 advantage. In all, the Tigers hit five home runs off Ohio State pitchers.

The Buckeyes’ bright spot came in the top of the fifth inning when pinch hitter Alex Bayne connected on the first home run of her Ohio State career, a two-run shot to right field. Ohio State’s other hits in the game came from freshman Bailee Sturgeon, Conrad and Prantl.

Ohio State returns to action on Saturday, Feb. 28 when it takes on Samford at 7:15 p.m. CST (8:30 EST).