Ohio State
12-1
San Diego State
8-13
Buckeyes Cruise to 7-0 Win over San Diego State
3/9/2018 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 9, 2018
RELATED INFO: Follow the Buckeyes on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram | 2018 Team Guide | 2018 Schedule | OSU vs. SDSU Final
FULLERTON, Calif. – The No. 16/19 Ohio State softball team used a fast start and big seventh inning to blank San Diego State, 7-0, on its first day at the Louisville Slugger Invitational at Anderson Family Field. The Buckeyes improve to 12-1 while the Aztecs drop to 8-13.
IN A NUTSHELL
Niki Carver opened the game with a leadoff double to right field to get the offense going. Facing two outs, Shelby McCombs hammered a double, her first of the season, deep to left field to bring Carver in for a 1-0 lead.
In the top of the second, Bailee Sturgeon roped a leadoff double down the left field line, her first extra-base hit this season. Once again, the Buckeyes were looking at two outs but that did not deter Lilli Piper, who drove the ball over the left field wall for a two-run homer.
Ohio State added four runs on six hits and an error in the seventh. Emily Clark doubled to right field and Ashley Goodwin followed up with a two-run shot over the left field fence. Next up, McCombs singled to centerfield and advanced to second on a wild pitch to keep the momentum going. After coming in as a pinch hitter, Kallie Boren looped an RBI-double for another tally. Right behind her, Sturgeon had a bunt single before White singled through the left side to usher in the final run.
IN THE CIRCLE
Morgan Ray (7-1) was nearly perfect in the circle as she tossed a three-hit complete game. The RHP had a no-hitter bid through four innings of work. Ray tallied two strikeouts and limited the Aztecs to five base runners.
EXTRA BITS
- The Buckeyes picked up their third shutout victory and seventh straight win.
- Ohio State has at least one home run in 11 of 13 games.
- The Buckeyes had four leadoff doubles from four different players, including three straight.
- Ohio State had eight hits for extra bases on six doubles and two home runs.
- For the first time this season, Ohio State turned two double plays in a game thanks to Lilli Piper and Ashley Goodwin.
- Shelby McCombs and Bailee Sturgeon were both 3-for-4 at the plate.
- Lilli Piper has recorded a hit and gotten on base in each of the last 10 games.
- The Scarlet & Gray are 7-0 when Niki Carver, Lilli Piper and Emily Clark make up the top of the order.
UP NEXT
The Buckeyes continue tournament play tomorrow against San Jose State (10 a.m. PT/1 p.m. ET) and Cal State Fullerton (12:30 p.m. PT/3:30 p.m. ET).
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Ray, Morgan (7-1)
L: MORENO (2-6)
Batting:
2B: Carver, Niki 1 ; Clark, Emily 1 ; McCombs, Shelby 2 ; Boren, Kallie 1 ; Sturgeon, Bailee 1
HR: Piper, Lilli 1 ; Goodwin, Ashley 1
RBI: Piper, Lilli 2 ; Goodwin, Ashley 2 ; McCombs, Shelby 1 ; Boren, Kallie 1 ; White, Taylor 1
SH: White, Taylor 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Carver, Niki 1 ; Piper, Lilli 1 ; Clark, Emily 1 ; Goodwin, Ashley 1 ; McCombs, Shelby 1 ; McMenemy, Megan 1 ; Sturgeon, Bailee 1
Base Running:
CS: WRIGHT 1
