Ohio State Opens Season This Weekend In Orlando
2/8/2023 11:11:18 AM | Softball
Game Notes // 2023 Roster // 2023 Schedule // Follow on Twitter // Follow on Facebook
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The 52nd season of Ohio State softball opens this weekend under clear skies and warm temperatures in Orlando, Fla. at the Black & Gold Classic on the campus of UCF.
The Buckeyes have a challenging opening-weekend slate, as they’re scheduled to face two ranked teams (No. 15 Georgia and No. 18 UCF) and three programs that won 40 or more games last season.
The Weekend Ahead
Ohio State vs. No. 15 Georgia // Friday, Feb. 10 // 11 a.m. // UCF Softball Complex; Orlando, Fla.
Live Stats // Ohio State Roster // Georgia Roster
Ohio State vs. Boise State // Saturday, Feb. 11 // 2:30 p.m. // UCF Softball Complex; Orlando, Fla.
Live Stats // Ohio State Roster // Boise State Roster
Ohio State vs. No. 18 UCF // Saturday, Feb. 11 // 5 p.m. // UCF Softball Complex; Orlando, Fla.
Watch Live: ESPN+ // Live Stats // Ohio State Roster // UCF Roster
Ohio State vs. UMass // Sunday, Feb. 12 // 11 a.m. // UCF Softball Complex; Orlando, Fla.
Live Stats // Ohio State Roster // UMass Roster
How to Follow the Buckeyes
- Ohio State’s contest vs. UCF is slated for ESPN+ (subscription required) with Eric Lopez and Jessica Burroughs on the call.
- A link to live stats will be available on the schedule page of OhioStateBuckeyes.com as well as on Twitter at @OhioStateSB.
Briefly on the Buckeyes
- Ohio State is coming off a 36-17 campaign in 2022 that resulted in the Buckeyes’ fifth trip to the NCAA Tournament in the last six years.
- The Buckeyes were 13-9 in Big Ten play and advanced to the semifinals of the conference tournament.
- The 2023 roster includes eight returning starters and three returning pitchers. Overall, Ohio State welcomes back four of its top five hitters, including its team leaders in home runs, runs scored, RBI, stolen bases and slugging percentage.
- The pitching staff will be led by two juniors – Allison Smith and Emily Ruck – and bolstered by redshirt freshman Kennedy Kay, freshman Lexi Paulsen and freshman Julia Miller.
- Head coach Kelly Kovach Schoenly begins her 11th season leading the Buckeyes. Her teams have earned five berths in the NCAA Tournament and last season she became the fastest coach in program history to reach 300 wins at Ohio State.
Series History
- Of Ohio State’s four opponents this weekend, the Buckeyes have the most history with UMass. Sunday will be the 10th meeting in series history (Ohio State leads, 6-3).
- The Buckeyes are 1-3 all-time against UCF and 1-5 vs. Georgia.
- Ohio State played UCF last year in Orlando during their Spring Break trip. Its one win over Georgia came in 2013.
- The Buckeyes will be playing Boise State for the first time in program history.
A Home State Flavor
- Fifteen of the 24 players on Ohio State’s roster are from the Buckeye State.
- Even with the hometown flavor, a total of six different states are represented on the 2023 roster.
- All five of the Buckeyes’ pitchers call Ohio home.
- Additionally, five players are from central Ohio – within 30 miles on the Columbus campus.
Hackenbracht’s Home Runs
- In just two full seasons, senior Sam Hackenbracht already sits in the top 10 for career home runs.
- The slugger from Massillon, Ohio led the team with 16 last spring and enters 2023 with 30 in her career, which is tied for eighth all-time.
- The next person on the list is Alex Bayne, who hit 37 from 2015-17.
