Ohio State
6-6
Utah
10-4
Buckeyes Drop Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic Finale
2/26/2023 3:04:32 PM | Softball
2023 Roster // 2023 Schedule // Follow on Twitter // Follow on Facebook // Final Stats
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio State dropped its finale at the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic on Sunday to Utah, 9-1, but overall had a successful weekend at the prestigious event, winning three of four games to even its overall record at 6-6.
The Short Story
Utah was able to open up a close game in the fourth and fifth innings as they scored six runs over those two frames. The Utes offensive attack generated 13 hits against three Ohio State pitchers.
For the Buckeyes, senior Meggie Otte hit her first home run of the season, a solo shot in the second inning to cut a 2-0 Utah lead to 2-1. It was the first of two hits on the afternoon for Otte, who was joined by Melina Wilkison, who went 2-for-3 with two singles.
The Weekend That Was
- Ohio State won three of its four games this weekend in Cathedral City, topping CSUN in five innings, 12-0, before a doubleheader sweep yesterday against Oregon State (6-0) and San Diego State (5-4).
- As a team, the Buckeyes hit .324 and hit four home runs – all from different players. Melina Wilkison had hits in half of her 14 at-bats and tied with Taylor Heckman for the team lead with three RBI.
- California native Mariah Rodriguez, a senior, also had a suburb weekend in her home state, hitting .455 with five hits in 11 at-bats with three runs scored and an RBI.
- Three different pitchers picked up wins in the circle – Allison Smith, Lexi Paulsen and Emily Ruck. Smith struck out 10 in 8.2 total innings while Ruck tossed a shutout against Oregon State and Paulsen was the winner in 4.2 innings on relief Saturday night vs. San Diego State.
What’s Next
Ohio State has next weekend off before beginning its busiest stretch of the season March 10-19 with a 13-game, nine-day Spring Break road trip to South Carolina and North Carolina. It begins March 10-12 at Coastal Carolina where Ohio State is slated to play Canisius, Coastal Carolina and Houston Christian
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Lopez, Mariah (5-2)
L: Ruck, Emily (1-3)
Batting:
HR: Otte, Meggie 1
RBI: Otte, Meggie 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Otte, Meggie 1
CS: Wilkison, Melina 1
Batting:
2B: Belarde, Aliya 1 ; Lundberg, Kendall 1
HR: Jimenez, Julia 1
RBI: Belarde, Aliya 3 ; Jimenez, Julia 2 ; Lundberg, Kendall 1
SH: Denning, Haley 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Denning, Haley 1 ; Belarde, Aliya 1 ; Jimenez, Julia 1 ; Ortiz, Shelbi 1 ; Lundberg, Kendall 1 ; White, Hailee 1 ; Gasper, Jordyn 3
SB: Bonstrom, Ellessa 1 ; Ortiz, Shelbi 1
