Late Rally Lifts Long Beach State Past Ohio State, 5-3 – Ohio State Buckeyes

Thursday, March 17

San Diego, Calif.

Ohio State

12-7

Long Beach State

17-9

Ohio State

Long Beach State

Late Rally Lifts Long Beach State Past Ohio State, 5-3 – Ohio State Buckeyes

3/17/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score

March 17, 2016

Final Stats

SAN DIEGO, Calif. – In its second game in San Diego this week, Ohio State (12-7) was edged by Long Beach State (17-9), 5-3, as the 49ers were able to produce a key sixth-inning hit that scored what proved to be the game-winning runs.

THE SHORT STORY
Long Beach State scored three times in the bottom of the sixth to erase a 3-2 deficit after the Buckeyes battled back to take a one-run lead in the fifth inning. The lead traded hands several times on the afternoon, as Ohio State jumped out to a 1-0 advantage in the top of the first, LBSU scored twice in the bottom of the frame and the Buckeyes surged ahead 3-2 in the fifth.

HOW THE RUNS WERE SCORED
For the 11th time this season, Ohio State scored first. This time the run came off the bat of senior Cammi Prantl, who sent a two-out solo home run over the right field fence. Additionally, the hit was the 200th in her career, making her the 13th player in program history to reach the 200-hit mark.

The lead was short-lived, however, as Long Beach State came back in the bottom of the first two plate two runs. The inning was keyed by a lead-off single and back to back one-out doubles.

LBSU threatened to extend its lead in the fourth inning as it loaded the bases thanks to a single, two walks and a fielder’s choice. Pitcher Morgan Ray, in relief of starter Lean Springer, induced LT Torres into an inning-ending pop out at second base. The inning prior, Ray worked a perfect 1-2-3 frame.

Two go-ahead runs came across the plate in the top of the fifth thanks to two hits and two walks. Emily Clark, the reigning Big Ten co-Freshman of the Week, got things started with a one-out double to right center and sophomore Becca Gavin followed with a single up the middle, putting two on for Maddy McIntyre, who worked a five-pitch walk. Alex Bayne they flied out to right field, scoring pinch runner Bailee Sturgeon, and Prantl put Ohio State ahead with her second RBI of the night, a single up the middle.

Immediately after taking the lead, Ohio State was able to work out of a two-one, two out jam as Ray got Nichole Fry to pop out to third base.

Long Beach State would take the lead for good in the bottom of the sixth on a two-out, three-run single off the bat of Tierra Falo, who sent a 1-2 pitch from reliever Shelby McCombs down the right field line. The three runs in the inning were set up by a lead-off single and two one-out singles. Ohio State then went down in order in the seventh inning.

BY THE NUMBERS
Four different players recorded hits, led by Prantl (two-for-four, home run, two RBI). She also extended her season-high hitting streak to 11 games. Goodwin also chipped in with two hits – a single and double. Over the last six games, Goodwin is batting .600 with a home run, double and three RBI. Three players – McIntyre (13), Leonard (12), Prantl (11) – have double digit reached base streaks going.

NEXT UP
The Buckeyes return to action at 4:30 p.m. PST (7:30 EST) tomorrow with a match-up against San Jose State (8-15).