Paulsen’s Complete Game Lifts Buckeyes Past Idaho State

Sunday, February 25

Phoenix, Ariz.

9:00 AM (11 AM ET)

Ohio State

8-4, 0

Idaho State

11-6, 0

Idaho State

Ohio State

Paulsen’s Complete Game Lifts Buckeyes Past Idaho State

2/25/2024 7:19:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

Ohio State finishes its weekend in Arizona with two wins

PHOENIX – Ohio State's five-game weekend in Arizona ended on a winning note Saturday, as the Buckeyes used a complete game effort from sophomore pitcher Lexi Paulsen to defeat Idaho State, 5-2, at GCU Softball Stadium on the campus of Grand Canyon.

The win for the Buckeyes improves their overall record to 8-4 headed into an off week. In addition to Paulsen's performance in the circle, which included seven strikeouts, one walk and three hits allowed, the offense was able to push across two runs in the third inning and three in the fifth to provide all the insurance Ohio State would need.

Sunday's scoring started in the bottom half of the third inning, courtesy of a Tegan Cortelletti two-run double to center field. Her hit scored McKenzie Bump, who had a bunt single, and Kaitlyn Farley, who started the inning with a single up the middle.

Ohio State was able to manufacture three runs in the bottom of the fifth via a Burns bases loaded walk, sacrifice fly from Sam Hackenbracht and a steal of home by Taylor Heckman, giving Paulsen a 5-0 lead the next time she entered the circle.

Two unearned runs came across for Idaho State in the bottom of the sixth inning on a wild pitch and double to left field. Paulsen's seventh strikeout of the afternoon, however, stranded a runner at second base.

McKenzie Bump finished the day 2-for-2 with a pair of bunt singles and also scored two runs. Other hits were provided by Cortelletti, Heckman, Kortokrax and Farley.

That and That
Heading into Sunday's game, the top two hitters on the Buckeyes' roster this week were the duo of Tegan Cortelletti and Taylor Heckman. They had combined to go 10-for-24 with seven runs scored and five RBI. Each of them individually were hitting .417.

Three Ohio State teams were in the Phoenix/Tempe area this weekend at the same time: the baseball Buckeyes played at Arizona State Thursday-Sunday while the women's tennis team had a Sunday afternoon match at Arizona State.

Lexi Paulsen made her second start of the season and in the process was the fourth different pitcher to earn a start of the Buckeyes this weekend.

What's Next
The Buckeyes will have next weekend off before beginning a 12-game, nine-day Spring Break trip on Friday, March 8 at the Tennessee Invitational. Ohio State's travels will also take them to Belmont and Austin Peay for midweek games at then the University of Kentucky for a tournament the weekend of March 15-17.

For the most up-to-date news and information on Ohio State softball, visit OhioStateBuckeyes.com and follow the Buckeyes on Twitter and Instagram at @OhioStateSB.