Ohio State
28-21, 0
Indiana
17-37, 0
Five Home Runs Key Ohio State’s 17-2 Win Over Indiana – Ohio State Buckeyes
5/2/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
May 2, 2015
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COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State erupted for 17 runs on 15 hits — including a school-record five home runs — in a 17-2 five-inning victory over Indiana on Saturday. With the win, the Buckeyes improve to 28-21 overall and 11-11 in the Big Ten.
At the plate, Erika Leonard hit a pair of long balls on her way to going 3-for-4 with a career-high five RBI. Caitlin Conrad also went 1-for-3 with four RBI and a three-run home run, Alex Bayne was 3-for-3 with a home run and three RBI and Anna Kirk was 2-for-2 with three runs scored and a solo home run. Ohio State scored 10 times in the bottom of the third inning to break the game open.
In the circle, Lena Springer picked up her seventh win of the season, going four innings while giving up two runs and three hits. Alex DiDomenico came on to pitch the final inning in relief and did not allow a hit.
The Buckeyes’ five home runs today brings their season total to 68, which ties a school record. Ohio State also improved its season batting average to .338, five points ahead of the single-season school record. In total, Ohio State had eight extra base hits on the afternoon and 138 this season.
In the top of the first, Indiana threatened with a pair of base runners via a walk and single, but two fly outs ended the frame. Prantl scored the game’s first run when she doubled to left center and later came around to score on a throwing error by the left fielder. The Hoosiers would respond, however, and take a 2-1 lead in the top of the second thanks to a two-out, two-run triple from Rebecca Blitz.
That lead would be short lived, however, as four runs came across the plate in the bottom of the second, the biggest blast coming off the bat of Conrad, who hit a three run home run to straight away center field that hit off the scoreboard. For Conrad, it was her 13th home run of the year and 29th in her career, moving her into sixth place all-time. Bayne also picked up a RBI double in the inning, scoring Kirk.
The Hoosiers failed to put up any runs in the top of the third, and Ohio State’s 10 runs in the bottom of the frame came on seven hits and with the benefit of one error. Kirk started it out with a home run to left center, her second round-tripper in as many games, and Bayne followed with a single. Nester then reached on an error, Kirstie Fehrenbach singled to left field and Conrad drew a bases loaded walk. Prantl also walked before Maddy McIntyre hit a two-run double to left field making the score 10-2. Leonard’s three-run home run made it 13-2 and Bayne also hit a two-run shot during the inning.
Two more runs scored in the bottom of the fourth off the bat of Leonard, who hit her second home run of the game and her 12th of the season. She also upped her RBI total on the season to 49. All 12 of Leonard’s home runs have come with runners on base and since March 29 (21 games), she is batting .507 with 12 home runs and 42 RBI. In Big Ten contests, she’s averaging nearly two RBI per contest.
The Buckeyes and Hoosiers conclude their three-game series tomorrow at 4 p.m. The game can be seen live on the Big Ten Network. Prior to the contest, Ohio State will honor six seniors.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Springer, Lena (7-5)
L: Olson, L. (11-27)
Batting:
3B: Blitz 1
RBI: Blitz 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Huber 1 ; Conenna 1
Batting:
2B: Prantl, Cammi 1 ; McIntyre, Maddy 2 ; Bayne, Alex 1
HR: Conrad, Caitlin 1 ; Leonard, Erika 2 ; Kirk, Anna 1 ; Bayne, Alex 1
RBI: Conrad, Caitlin 4 ; Prantl, Cammi 1 ; McIntyre, Maddy 2 ; Leonard, Erika 5 ; Kirk, Anna 1 ; Bayne, Alex 3
SH: Fehrenbach, Kirstie 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Conrad, Caitlin 2 ; Prantl, Cammi 2 ; McIntyre, Maddy 1 ; Saibene, Jayla 1 ; Leonard, Erika 2 ; Kirk, Anna 3 ; Bayne, Alex 3 ; Nester, Keelia 2 ; Fehrenbach, Kirstie 1
HBP: Kirk, Anna 1
