Fall Ball In Full Swing at Ohio State
9/21/2023 1:05:00 PM | General, Softball
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Softball is back in Columbus and that means the Buckeyes have returned to action.
In preparation for the 2024 season, the Buckeyes are playing a series of Scarlet vs. Gray exhibition games. In addition, they'll be in action against the Louisville Cardinals in a doubleheader on Sunday beginning at noon. Admission to Sunday's doubleheader is free.
The Scarlet vs. Gray series will consist of three games. The third and final game of the series, set for next Friday, Sept. 29 at 6 p.m., is free and open to the public. And, it has a new twist this year: the Buckeyes are using the Athletes Unlimited scoring system. It awards points based on on-field performance, as well as being named one of three game Most Valuable Players. A breakdown of the current leaderboard is as follows:
The Leaderboard (Top 10 as of 9/20/2023)
1. Jazzy Burns – 130 total pts. / 60 individual pts. / 70 team pts.
2. Allison Smith – 116 total pts. / 76 individual pts. / 40 team pts.
3. Emily Ruck – 106 total pts. / 36 individual pts. / 70 team pts.
4. Cadyn Ruffer – 100 total pts. / 30 individual pts. / 70 team pts.
5. Kennedy Kay – 96 total pts. / 26 individual pts. / 40 team pts.
6. Melina Wilkison – 90 total pts. / 20 individual pts. / 70 team pts.
Kaitlyn Farley – 90 total pts. / 50 individual pts. / 40 team pts.
Hailey Lang – 90 total pts. / 20 individual pts. / 70 team pts.
9. Skylar Limon – 80 total pts. / 10 individual pts. / 70 team pts.
McKenzie Bump – 80 total pts. / 10 individual pts. / 70 team pts.
Scarlet Defeats Gray 4-2 in Game One
Last Friday evening, the opening game of the series took place at Buckeye Field. Keyed by a home run from freshman Jazzy Burns, Scarlet won 4-2. Game MVPs were: pitcher Allison Smith, catcher/utility Jazzy Burns and infielder Kaitlyn Farley. Junior Reagan Milliken also had a stellar fall debut, noting a pair of doubles for her team.
More Fall Ball Coming
Following Sunday's doubleheader vs. Louisville, the home portion of Ohio State's fall schedule continues next week and culminates with the signature event of the fall. On Wednesday, Ohio Dominican will make the short trip to Buckeye Field for a 6 p.m. game. Two days later, on Friday, the Scarlet vs. Gray series wraps up with the third and final game. And during the weekend of Sept. 30-Oct. 1, the annual Ohio Collegiate Charity Classic will take place at Ohio State.
This year marks the 22nd year of the event. It has grown into one of the largest cancer fundraisers in central Ohio. Proceeds benefit The Stefanie Spielman Fund for Breast Cancer Research at the OSUCCC-James. Admission is a $5 donation that will be collected upon entry at Buckeye Field.
Ohio State will play a single game on Saturday, Sept. 30, vs. Tiffin at 12:15 p.m. On Sunday, the Buckeyes face Akron (10 a.m.) and Bowling Green (12:15 p.m.).
