Buckeyes Host Louisville for Fall Ball Doubleheader
9/24/2023 5:34:00 PM | General, Softball
COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Ohio State softball team split a doubleheader against Louisville on Sunday as the Buckeyes' welcomed fans to Buckeye Field for the first time this fall. Louisville won the first game, 4-3, before Ohio State's offense erupted in the second game to claim a 9-3 victory.
More Fall Ball Coming
There's plenty more softball for fans this week. On Wednesday, Ohio State hosts Ohio Dominican at 6 p.m. Two days later, on Friday, the third and final game of the Scarlet vs. Gray intrasquad scrimmage series will take place, also beginning at 6 p.m.
And then this weekend, the annual Ohio Collegiate Charity Classic is set to take place once again on Ohio State's campus. The Buckeyes host Tiffin on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. and then have single games on Sunday vs. Akron (10 a.m.) and Bowling Green (12:30 p.m.).
Game One: Louisville 4, Ohio State 3
Ohio State led 3-2 after four innings on the strength of a Melina Wilkison RBI single, Sam Hackenbracht RBI single and a run-scoring wild pitch. Louisville, however, scored once in the top of the fifth inning and once more in the top of the seventh.
In the circle, senior Allison Smith pitched a complete game and allowed three earned runs while striking out three. Kaitlyn Farley finished the game with two hits, including a double. Freshman Jazzy Burns also doubled in the fourth inning.
Game Two: Ohio State 9, Louisville 3
Ohio State scored runs in all but two innings and fought back from an early 3-0 deficit on its way to winning the second game of the day.
Trailing 3-0 after Louisville hit a three-run home run in the top of the first, Ohio State responded with a Destinee Noury RBI double, sacrifice fly from Sam Hackenbracht and a game-tying RBI double down the left field line from Kami Kortokrax.
Ohio State took a 5-3 lead in the fifth when Melina Wilkson's fielder's choice scored Kaitlyn Farley and Noury manufactured a run with her sacrifice fly. That lead would become 7-3 in the bottom of the fourth thanks to another sac fly – this one from Hackenbracht – a Louisville error that plated another.
In the fifth, Wilkison (double) and Noury (single) had run-scoring hits to increase Ohio State's lead to 9-3. Noury finished the second game 2-for-2 with three RBI. She was also hit by a pitch and had a sacrifice fly. Kaitlyn Farley also had a multi-hit game, going 2-for-4 with two singles. Freshmen Jazzy Burns (1-for-3 with a double), Lottie Landmesser (1-for-3 with a walk) and Taylor Cruse (1-for-4 with a run scored) all chipped in as well.
Overall, Ohio State's 10-hit attack included five extra base hits. The Buckeyes also had five walks and stole two bases.
Senior Emily Ruck started the game and went 2.1 innings before giving way to Kennedy Kay, who pitched 2.2 innings of scoreless relief. Sophomore Lexi Paulsen finished off the afternoon with the final two innings of action.
