Badgers Slip By No. 24 Buckeyes on Late Home Run – Ohio State Buckeyes

Friday, April 1

Madison, Wisc.

Ohio State

18-8, 0

Wisconsin

18-13, 0

Ohio State

Wisconsin

Badgers Slip By No. 24 Buckeyes on Late Home Run – Ohio State Buckeyes

4/1/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score

April 1, 2016

Final Stats

MADISON, Wisc. – Wisconsin’s Melanie Cross hit a walk-off three-run home run as the Badgers ended No. 24 Ohio State’s six-game win streak with a 6-5 come-from-behind victory on Friday at Goodman Diamond on the campus of the University of Wisconsin.

THE SHORT STORY
Ohio State look a 5-3 lead into the bottom of the seventh inning but couldn’t hold it, as the Badgers got the first two batters on via double and walk before Cross’ game-winning hit. The Buckeyes took a 4-0 lead in the top of the fifth thanks to a grand slam by senior Maddy McIntyre and added what appeared to be an important insurance run in the top of the seventh off the bat of Cammi Prantl.

HOW THE RUNS WERE SCORED
In a pitching duel for the first four innings, Ohio State finally broke through in the top of the fifth when Anna Kirk started a one-out rally with a single back to the pitcher. Sophomore Taylor White then followed with a single through the right side, putting two one for Becca Gavin, who worked a six-pitch walk from Wisconsin pitcher Kristen Stevens. That loaded the bases for McIntyre, who blasted a 1-0 pitch over the left centerfield fence, giving Ohio State a 4-0 lead.

Wisconsin slowly chipped away at the lead, however, getting one run back in the bottom of the fifth via a bases loaded walk that scored Macy Oswald. Further damage was avoided, however, when reliever Morgan Ray came in and got the final two outs of the inning, both on strikeouts.

The Badgers pulled to within one, 4-3, in the bottom of the sixth on a two-out infield single and bases loaded walk. In the top of the seventh, Gavin started things off with her second walk of the game, was sacrificed over by a bunt from Bri Betschel and eventually scored on a single to right field by Prantl.

Wisconsin’s rally in the bottom of the frame was started on Samantha Arents double off the wall in right field and a walk from Katie Christner. The next batter, Kelly Welsh, was called out for being outside of the batter’s box, but Cross ended the game with her three-run home run to right field.

IN THE CIRCLE
Shelby Hursh got the start and went 4.1 innings, allowing just one hit while striking out six but walking seven. Ray pitched the final two innings of the game. Ohio State’s counterparts, Stevens and Taylor Paige-Stewart, walked just three over seven innings while striking out three.

PLAYER NOTES
• After not hitting a home run in the first 23 games of the season, McIntyre has hit two in the last three games with six RBI.

• The six-seven-eight hitters in Ohio State’s lineup combined to go five-for-nine with two runs scored. The nine hitter – Gavin – walked twice, had a sac bunt and scored two runs.

• Over the last 10 games, Jess Machovina has played in seven contests, earning four starts, and is hitting .471 with eight RBI. Today, she went two-for-three with a pair of singles.

NEXT UP
With cold temperatures forecast in Madison on Saturday, Ohio State and Wisconsin will close their three-game series with a doubleheader on Sunday beginning at approximately 11 a.m. CST.