Ohio State
18-12, 0
Northwestern
19-7, 0
Ohio State’s Seventh-Inning Rally Falls Just Short vs. Northwestern
3/30/2024 5:00:00 PM | Softball
Buckeyes score seven runs in the seventh but fall to NU, 9-7
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio State softball team nearly battled back from a 9-0 seventh-inning deficit, scoring seven time in the bottom half of the inning but eventually falling to Northwestern, 9-7, in the middle game of this weekend's series.
Ohio State is 18-12 on the season while Northwestern improves to 19-7. The series finale is set for tomorrow at 1 p.m. at Buckeye Field.
The Short Story
Trailing 9-0 entering the bottom of the seventh inning, Ohio State loaded the bases with nobody out and scored its first run when Sam Hackenbracht was hit by a pitch. One batter later, McKenzie Bump's three-run double in the left centerfield gap cut the NU lead to 9-4.
After a Tegan Cortelletti double, Taylor Heckman ripped a pitch over the centerfield fence for a three-run home run, making the score 9-7 in favor of the Wildcats with nobody out. After a Northwestern pitching change and Jasmyn Burns walk, the final three batters were retired via a pop out, strikeout and fly out.
Buckeye That and That
Ohio State's offense managed just one hit over the first six innings – a single in the fifth inning. Northwestern pitcher Riley Grudzielanek gave up two hits but also allowed five walks in two different stints during the game.
Smith started for the second consecutive game and had a strikeout while allowing five earned runs. Northwestern built its 9-0 lead with two runs in the first inning, one in the third, two in the fourth, two in the fifth and two in the seventh.
Saturday's game featured five home runs – four from Northwestern and Heckman's three-run blast in the bottom of the seventh.
A crowd of nearly 1,000 packed Buckeye Field for the second consecutive game this weekend. Over the first two games, Ohio State's average crowd has been 1,118.
What's Next
Tomorrow's series finale will include a postgame Easter egg hunt. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m. and those who can't attend can watch live on BTN+ (subscription required) or listen on Ohio State's student radio station, Scarlet and Gray Sports Radio.
Single game tickets are available with prices ranging from $4-$8 before fees. Seating at Buckeye Field is general admission. A limited number of student tickets will be available for free at each game with a BuckID on a first come, first served basis. Children under two years old and younger will be admitted free but must sit on an adult's lap.
Tickets can be purchased HERE and the full schedule is available at OhioStateBuckeyes.com.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Grudzielanek, Riley (5-1)
L: Smith, Allison (11-8)
S: Cunningham, Renae (1)
Batting:
2B: Nader, Kelsey 1 ; Zedak, Angela 1 ; Donahey, Bridget 1 ; Muno, Ainsley 1
HR: Robinson, Kansas 1 ; Zedak, Angela 1 ; Cunningham, Renae 1 ; Muno, Ainsley 1
RBI: Robinson, Kansas 2 ; Zedak, Angela 2 ; Donahey, Bridget 2 ; Cunningham, Renae 1 ; Muno, Ainsley 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Robinson, Kansas 1 ; Nader, Kelsey 1 ; Cady, Hannah 1 ; Zedak, Angela 2 ; Raye, Emma 1 ; Cunningham, Renae 1 ; Muno, Ainsley 1 ; Lindsey, Ayana 1
CS: Nader, Kelsey 1
HBP: Robinson, Kansas 1
Batting:
2B: Cortelletti, Tegan 1 ; Noury, Destinee 1 ; Bump, McKenzie 1
HR: Heckman, Taylor 1
RBI: Heckman, Taylor 3 ; Hackenbracht, Sam 1 ; Bump, McKenzie 3
Base Running:
RUNS: Cortelletti, Tegan 1 ; Heckman, Taylor 1 ; Cruse, Taylor 1 ; Farley, Kaitlyn 1 ; Church, Hannah 1 ; Hackenbracht, Sam 1 ; Bump, McKenzie 1
HBP: Heckman, Taylor 1 ; Hackenbracht, Sam 1
