Nebraska Evens Weekend Series with 4-3 Win Over Ohio State
5/6/2023 5:10:00 PM | Softball
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LINCOLN, Neb. – The second game of this weekend's series between Ohio State and Nebraska was played much like the first. Unfortunately for the Buckeyes, though, they found themselves on the short end of another closely-contested game, falling 4-3 to the Huskers at Bowlin Stadium.
Nebraska's win evened the weekend series and sets up a rubber game tomorrow beginning at noon CT (1 p.m. ET). The contest will be streamed live on BTN+ and a link to live stats will also be available on the softball schedule page of OhioStateBuckeyes.com.
The Short Story
Ohio State (31-19, 11-11) took a 3-1 lead in the third inning and led 3-2 into the bottom of the sixth before two Nebraska runs pushed the Huskers ahead 4-3. Nebraska scored in the sixth inning via a suicide squeeze play and a two-out Ohio State error.
The Buckeyes had the tying run at second base with two outs in the top of the seventh but were unable to get the tying or go-ahead runs in off of NU's Courtney Wallace.
At the plate, Sam Hackenbracht went 3-for-4 with an RBI while Kami Kortokrax collected two hits, including her 15th double of the season.
Starting pitcher Emily Ruck went 5.1 innings and allowed seven hits while walking just one. Kennedy Kay came in and recorded the final two outs of the sixth inning.
How The Runs Were Scored
- Nebraska scored first in the home half of the first inning via a two-out single up the middle from Mya Felder.
- The Buckeyes generated their first run of the game in the top of the second as McKenzie Bump's sacrifice fly scored Meggie Otte, who led off the inning with a walk.
- Two runs came home for Ohio State in the top of the third to give Ohio State a 3-1 lead. The biggest hits were an RBI single off the bat of Hackenbracht and a sacrifice fly from Otte.
- Nebraska hit a solo home run in the bottom of the third inning but wouldn't find the scoreboard again until plating two in the bottom of the sixth.
Buckeye This And That
- Kortokrax's 15 doubles put her in a tie for eighth place on the single-season list. The school record is 24 and is held by Krinon Clark in 1994.
- In two games this weekend against Nebraska, Kortokrax is 5-for-7 with two RBI and a run scored.
- In 21 Big Ten games, Hackenbracht has driven in a team-high 21 runs.
- Four of the last five games between Ohio State and Nebraska have been decided by one run, including both this weekend.
- On the season, the Buckeyes have played 16 games decided by one run.
- Tegan Cortelletti came into the game in the fourth inning as a pinch hitter and promptly delivered a lead off single up the middle.
