Ohio State
4-5
Cal State Northridge
5-8
Home Runs Power Ohio State to a 12-0 Win over CSUN
2/25/2023 2:47:41 AM | Softball
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COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio State started off its weekend at the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic with a 12-0 five-inning run rule win over CSUN that was powered by three home runs and 10 combined strikeouts by pitchers Allison Smith and Lexi Paulsen.
The Short Story
The Buckeyes improved to 4-5 on the season thanks to three home runs – including back to back shots by Melina Wilkison and Jaycee Ruberti to lead off the game – and a key pinch-run three-run double off the bat of Taylor Heckman to highlight a eight-run third inning.
In the circle, Smith picked up her third win of the season and struck out eight over four innings while allowing just two hits. Paulsen, a freshman, worked the final inning in relief and had two strikeouts.
Game Notes
- After failing to hit a home run in its first eight games, Ohio State had two in the top of the first inning, as Wilkison and Ruberti led off the game with solo shots to put Ohio State ahead 2-0.
- In the top of the third inning, Ohio State scored eight times on four hits and was aided by three CSNU errors.
- The biggest hit of them all was a bases-clearing double by Heckman, whose hit pushed the Ohio State lead to 8-0.
- In the fourth inning, Ohio State’s clutch pinch hitting continued as junior Kirsten Eppele hit a solo home run to make the score 11-0.
- The Buckeyes’ eight hits came from eight different players.
- In addition to Heckman’s three RBI, Destinee Noury drove in two runs and Wilkson, Ruberti, McKenzie Bump, Eppele and Mariah Rodriguez all drove in runs.
- The Buckeyes’ total runs (12) and runs in an inning (eight – top of the third) were both season highs.
- Eppele’s home run was the second of her career. Her other was also as a pinch hitter, last season at Iowa.
- Smith is now 3-3 on the season and is still averaging better than a strikeout her inning (39 Ks, 31.0 innings).
What’s Next
The Buckeyes’ weekend in Cathedral City, Calif. continues tomorrow with two games. First, Ohio State tangles with Oregon State at 3 p.m. EST (noon PST) and then faces San Diego State at 5:30 p.m. (2:30 p.m. PST). Both game will be streamed live on FloSoftball.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Smith, Allison (3-3)
L: Martinez, Alexis (3-4)
Batting:
2B: Otte, Meggie 1 ; Heckman, Taylor 1
HR: Wilkison, Melina 1 ; Ruberti, Jaycee 1 ; Eppele, Kirsten 1
RBI: Wilkison, Melina 1 ; Ruberti, Jaycee 1 ; Noury, Destinee 2 ; Rodriguez, Mariah 1 ; Bump, McKenzie 1 ; Eppele, Kirsten 1 ; Heckman, Taylor 3
Base Running:
RUNS: Wilkison, Melina 2 ; Cortelletti, Tegan 1 ; Ruberti, Jaycee 2 ; Kortokrax, Kami 1 ; Potter, Lindsey 1 ; Hackenbracht, Sam 1 ; Rodriguez, Mariah 1 ; Bump, McKenzie 1 ; Eppele, Kirsten 1 ; Heckman, Taylor 1
HBP: Milliken, Reagan 1
Base Running:
SB: Whatman, Shaylan 1
