No. 25 Buckeyes Suffer 3-0 Setback to Purdue – Ohio State Buckeyes

Friday, April 22

Columbus, Ohio

Ohio State

27-12-1, 0

Purdue

26-20, 0

Purdue

Ohio State

No. 25 Buckeyes Suffer 3-0 Setback to Purdue – Ohio State Buckeyes

4/22/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score

April 22, 2016

Final Stats

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State’s offense was limited to just four hits as Purdue began this weekend’s three-game series with a 3-0 shutout of the 25th-ranked Buckeyes. With the setback, Ohio State is 27-12-1, 9-5-1 Big Ten while the Boilermakers are 26-20, 7-8.

THE SHORT STORY
Purdue’s Lilly Fecho, who came into the game with the second-best ERA in the conference at 1.97, scattered four hits over seven innings to earn her 19th win of the year. On the other side, Ohio State’s Shelby Hursh went five innings and allowed seven hits while striking out five. Purdue got all the offense it would need with a two-run home run in the top of the first inning.

HOW THE RUNS WERE SCORED
Hursh cruised through the first two batters of the game, striking out Kristen Hoppman and Mary Gooding. Emily Kenny, however, kept things alive with a single to center field that set the stage for Lauren Stewart, who sent a 1-2 pitch over the left field fence and gave Purdue a 2-0 lead.

The only other run of the game came home via a sacrifice fly in the top of the fifth. Hoppman got into scoring position with an infield bunt single, stole second and then advanced to third on a throw in from the outfield after Gooding singled.

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Ohio State threatened to answer Purdue’s two-run first inning with some offense of its own in the bottom of the first. A groundout, however, ended the rally with Alex Bayne at third and Emily Clark and second via stolen bases.

The Buckeyes once again had two runners on in the bottom of the second when Becca Gavin reached on an error and Ashley Goodwin, who had singled earlier, advanced to third. Fecho, however, was able to pick up one of her five strikeouts for the final out.

The final scoring opportunity for the Scarlet and Gray occurred in the bottom of the seventh. With one out, Kirk singled past the third basemen and Goodwin followed with an infield single back to the pitcher. Fecho struck out the next batter, however, and then induced a game-ending groundball to second for the final out.

In all, Ohio State left seven runners on base over the course of the game. Goodwin (two), Prantl and Kirk had all four of the Buckeyes’ hits.

RAY ON IN RELIEF
Freshman Morgan Ray relieved Hursh in the top of the sixth and had an efficient inning, retiring the Boilermakers in order on just four pitches. She was helped out by her defense in the top of the seventh, as Goodwin caught a sharply hit line drive at first and then stepped on the base to complete a double play.

STOLEN BASES
Ohio State was a perfect three-for-three in stolen base attempts, and for the season it is swiping bases at an 82 percent clip (36-for-44).

NEXT UP
Ohio State and Purdue continue their series tomorrow afternoon with a 2 p.m. contest at Buckeye Field. As always, admission is free.