Run-Rule Triumph Clinches Series Win over Rutgers

Sunday, April 7

Columbus, Ohio

Ohio State

23-11, 7-2

Rutgers

17-19, 1-8

Rutgers

Ohio State

Run-Rule Triumph Clinches Series Win over Rutgers

4/7/2019 3:10:59 PM | Softball

Box Score

RELATED INFO

Follow the Buckeyes on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram | 2019 Schedule/Results | Box Score

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Earning its 10^th shutout of the season, the Ohio State softball team used an 8-0 five-inning victory to clinch the series against Rutgers on Sunday afternoon at Buckeye Field. The win lifts the Buckeyes to 23-11 on the year and 7-2 in the Big Ten while the Scarlet Knights drop to 17-19 overall and 1-8 in conference contests.

IN THE CIRCLE

Righty ace Morgan Ray thrived in the circle for Ohio State as she pitched a two-hit shutout, her fifth this season. The Frenchtown, Mt. native picked up her ninth win after striking out seven and giving up one walk in five innings. Ray had at least one strikeout in each half, including two in the first and second innings.

HOW IT HAPPENED

A big hit by rookie Ashley Prange opened the scoring in the bottom of the third. Two walks and a HBP stacked the bags for Prange, who swung on the first pitch and demolished the first grand slam of her career.

B3 | BOMBS AWAY!!@a_prange swings on the first pitch and demolishes her first career grand slam!!

OSU 4, RUT 0 #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/Po20xfboa1

— Ohio State Softball (@OhioStateSB) April 7, 2019

Niki Carver reached on a throwing error by Rutgers’ third baseman to get the Buckeyes going in the fourth. One batter later, Claire Nicholson crushed a two-run dinger over the left field wall.

B4 | GOING YARD!!@cnicholson22 crushes a two-run homer over the left field wall!

OSU 6, RUT 0#GoBucks pic.twitter.com/tMqTlKVpi2

— Ohio State Softball (@OhioStateSB) April 7, 2019

Prange kept the hits coming in the fifth on a stand-up double to center field. Up next, Kaitlyn Coffman went yard on a two-shot homer down the left field line to seal a run-rule victory.

B5 | BALL. GAME. @kaitlyn_coffman powers the ball over left field for a two-run homer to end the game in five!!

OSU 8, RUT 0 #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/5ZhRI2bk1o

— Ohio State Softball (@OhioStateSB) April 7, 2019

DEFENSIVELY SPEAKING

Rutgers got its first two batters of the game on via a fielding error and single to left field. Unfazed, Ray delivered a pair of strikeouts and a fly ball to right field retired the side.
The Scarlet Knights had an opportunity in the fifth after a single and HBP got a runner to second. Ray once again came through with a looking strikeout and a pop up to Prange ended the threat.
The Buckeyes did not allow an extra-base hit and recorded 15 putouts.

BUCKEYE BITS

For the first time this season, the Buckeyes scored all of its runs on homers.
Lilli Piper and Prange paced the team with two hits apiece.
Prange drove in a career-high four runs and extended her hitting streak to six games.
Each of the Buckeyes’ home runs were hit by underclassman. The freshmen and sophomores are responsible for 20 homers this season.
Ohio State is 15-2 all-time against Rutgers.
In Big Ten games only, Piper leads the team with a .481 batting average and .611 on-base percentage.

UP NEXT

The Buckeyes head to Penn State on Tuesday, Apr. 9 for a doubleheader. Action is set to begin at 5 p.m. live on the Big Ten Network.