Ohio State Suffers 6-5 Setback in Series Opener vs. Rutgers

Friday, April 7

Columbus, Ohio

Ohio State

21-13, 2-5

Rutgers

30-12, 7-2

Rutgers

Ohio State

Ohio State Suffers 6-5 Setback in Series Opener vs. Rutgers

4/7/2023 9:46:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

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COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio State's weekend series with Rutgers began with some fireworks on Friday night, as the Buckeyes jumped out to a 5-0 lead but eventually dropped a 6-5 decision in front of another big crowd at Buckeye Field.

The Buckeyes are now 21-13 (2-5 Big Ten) on the season while Rutgers improves to 30-12 (7-2 Big Ten). The two teams will meet again tomorrow beginning at 2 p.m. Admission and parking is free.

The Short Story
Sophomore Kaitlyn Farley provided an early spark for the Ohio State offense, as her grand slam in the bottom of the second inning gave Ohio State an early 5-0 lead. In the bottom of the first, sophomore Melina Wilkison connected on her seventh homer of the season, a solo shot to left field.

The Scarlet Knights chipped away, however, plating two runs in the top of the third via a bases loaded walk and hit batter. They'd tie the game in the fourth inning and then took the lead in the top of the sixth on a solo home run by Payton Lincavage.

In the bottom of the seventh, Ohio State scored what appeared to be the game-tying run with the home plate umpire called Kami Kortokrax safe at the plate following a double by Sam Hackenbracht. After video review, however, the called was overturned for the second out of the inning and the next batter flew out to right field to end the game.

How the Runs Were Scored

Wilkson's home run in the bottom of the second came on the second pitch that she saw. It was her fifth home run in the last six games.
The hit also had other significance: it was Wilkson's 100th career hit. A sophomore, it was just her 83rd career game.
Ohio State loaded the bases in the second inning thanks to back to back singles from Meggie Otte and Jaycee Ruberti, followed by a Hannah Church walk.
That set the stage for Farley, whose grand slam was the first of her career and the second home run she's hit this season.
Trailing 5-2 in the top of the fourth, Lincavage hit the first of her two home runs on the night to left center to tie the game at 5-all.
Her solo shot in the top of the sixth tucked just inside of the left field foul pole.

Buckeye This and That

Allison Smith made her 18th start of the season and struck out seven over seven innings.
Sam Hackenbracht's double in the seventh inning was her ninth extra base hit of the season.
Over the last 10 games, she's batting a team-best .459 with 12 RBI.
Wilkson raised her average of the season to .421. She has 21 extra base hits – seven home runs, nine doubles and five triples.
Farley's career-high four RBI gives her 21 on the season.