Michigan Tops Ohio State in Series Opener, 9-6

Friday, May 3

Ann Arbor, Mich.

6:00 PM

Ohio State

29-19, 10-11

Michigan

38-14, 18-3

Ohio State

Michigan

Michigan Tops Ohio State in Series Opener, 9-6

5/3/2024 9:38:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

Sam Hackenbracht collects two hits – including a home run – and four RBI

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Michigan scored four times in the bottom of the sixth inning to earn a 9-6 win over Ohio State in the opening game of this weekend's regular-season ending series at Alumni Field in Ann Arbor, Mich. The loss drops the Buckeyes' record to 29-19 (10-11 Big Ten) while Michigan improves to 38-14 (18-3 Big Ten).

The Short Story
Ohio State had leads of 3-0 (first inning) and 6-5 (fifth inning) but couldn't hold on late as Michigan scored in the sixth inning on a two-run double and a two-run home run.

For the Buckeyes at the plate, senior Sam Hackenbracht went 2-for-4 with a season-high four RBI. She had a two-run single in the first inning and then added a two-run home run in the fifth to put Ohio State ahead, 6-5. Tegan Cortelletti, also a senior, had a two-hit game and also scored a run.

Allison Smith started the game in the circle and went four innings with one strikeout and two walks. Emily Ruck worked the fifth and sixth innings, getting a key strikeout with the bases loaded in the fifth to keep the score at 6-5 in Ohio State's favor. Lexi Paulsen recorded the final out of the sixth inning.

How The Runs Were Scored

Before Ohio State even went on defense, the Buckeyes had a 3-0 lead thanks to a sacrifice off the bat of Jasmyn Burns and a two-run RBI single from Sam Hackenbracht.
The RBI for Burns was her 37th of the season, which is second-most on the team behind only Kami Kortokrax (41). Hackenbracht picked up RBI Nos. 30 and 31.
Ohio State's big first inning was keyed by a bunt single from Cortelletti to open the game and a fielding error by Michigan pitcher Lauren Derkowski. After a Kortokrax walk, the bases were loaded with nobody out.
After Michigan scored twice in the bottom of the second inning via a sac fly and single, the Buckeyes tacked on another run in the top of the third thanks to a Michigan throwing error that allowed Kirsten Eppele to score. Eppele reached on a walk earlier in the inning.
A three-run third inning for the Wolverines gave Michigan its first lead of the game. Run-scoring hits came from Maddie Erickson, Keke Tholl and Lilly Vallimont.
Ohio State was able to quickly re-take the lead in the top of the fifth thanks to a two-home from Hackenbracht. It was her ninth of the season and 47th in her career, which is just one shy of third place on the program's all-time list.
Michigan took a 7-6 lead in the bottom of the sixth inning thanks to a two-run double by Maddie Erickson. The Wolverines tacked on two more runs on a Ella Stephenson home run.

What's Next
The series continues tomorrow when the Buckeyes and Wolverines meet at 2 p.m. at Alumni Field. A link to live stats is available on the softball schedule page at OhioStateBuckeyes.com. B1G+ will carry the game live as well (subscription required).

For the most up-to-date information on Ohio State softball, follow on the Buckeyes on X at @OhioStateSB and online at OhioStateBuckeyes.com.