Ohio State
13-6
Washington
23-4
Ohio State Splits on Day Two of Husky Classic – Ohio State Buckeyes
3/8/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 8, 2015
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COLUMBUS, Ohio– The Ohio State softball team split its two games on Saturday at the Husky Classic in Seattle, highlighted by a walk-off win over Cal State Northridge in the days first contest. The Buckeyes are now 13-6 on the season.
Ohio State 5, Cal State Northridge 3 (9 innings)
For the second time in as many days, Ohio State won a game in extra innings, this one ending thanks to a two-run walk-off home run from Maddy McIntyre. The victory gives OSU a perfect 4-0 record in extra inning games this year.
McIntyre’s heroics were preceded by some clutch plays both at the plate and on defense. Trailing 3-2 entering the bottom of the eighth inning, sophomore Anna Kirk sent a 3-2 pitch over the fence for a game-tying home run. For Kirk, it was her fourth long ball of the season, tying her with Caitlin Conrad and McIntyre for the team lead.
In the top of the ninth, a key defensive play by Conrad kept CSUN (18-6) from scoring, as she throw out Maylynn Mitchell at home plate, aided by a nice tag from Cammi Prantl to preserve the 3-3 tie. Conrad also threw a runner out from right field in the top of the seventh inning.
After Watkins was retired to begin the bottom of the ninth, McIntyre sent the first pitch of her at bat over the fence, giving the Buckeyes their second walk-off win of the 2015 season.
Sophomore Shelby Hursh was the winning pitcher, going 3.2 innings in relief while striking out a season-high six batters. She came into the game with one out and a runner on second with the score tied at 2-2 and struck out the final two batters of the inning. She also got a swinging strikeout of Crystal Maas with two runners on in the eighth inning.
Ohio State took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first thanks to a RBI single from Prantl and a hit by pitch with the bases loaded that allowed Kirk to score. From there, starter Olivia O’Reilly and the OSU defense kept Cal State Northridge at bay, allowing just one run over the next four innings. O’Reilly gave up seven hits over 5.1 innings and lowered her season ERA to 2.59.
No. 19 Washington 6, Ohio State 0
A four-run fourth inning allowed No. 19 Washington to pull away from the Buckeyes in the night cap on Saturday.
Trailing 2-0 entering the inning, back-to-back one-out singles and a walk loaded the bases. The Huskies then singled and took advance of a Buckeye error to plate four runs, making the score 6-0. Starting pitcher Lena Springer then gave way to Hursh, who walked the first two batters but got a strikeout and pop out to end the inning.
Conrad and Prantl carried much of the Ohio State offense, combining for three doubles. Ohio State threatened in the top of the second when Prantl led off with a double, but a pop up and two ground outs ended the frame. Conrad was 3-for-3 with two singles and a double and Prantl went 2-for-3 with two doubles. Ohio State outhit Washington, 7-5.
In the circle, Hursh did not allow a hit in 2.2 innings of relief while striking out two. In two games on Saturday, she allowed just one run and two hit over 6.1 innings while striking out eight.
The Buckeyes return to action tomorrow with another contest against No. 19 Washington. First pitch is slated for 2:15 p.m. EST (11:15 a.m. PST).
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Stanchek (7-2)
L: Springer, Lena (1-2)
Batting:
2B: Conrad, Caitlin 1 ; Prantl, Cammi 2
Batting:
HR: Gano 1
RBI: Gano 1 ; Aubert 2
SH: Souza 1
SF: Aubert 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Gano 1 ; Stangel 1 ; Burdick 1 ; Suguro 1 ; Souza 1 ; Aubert 1
HBP: Souza 1 ; McNeill 1
