Ohio State
31-20
Wisconsin
20-30
Ohio State Falls to Wisconsin in Big Ten Tournament
5/9/2024 5:39:00 AM | Softball
Allison Smith strikes out 10 while giving up just three hits
IOWA CITY, Iowa – Despite a 10-strikeout performance by senior Allison Smith, Ohio State's stay at the 2024 Big Ten Softball Tournament ended on Wednesday night with a 5-1 loss to 11th-seeded Wisconsin at Bob Pearl Field in Iowa City. The Buckeyes fell to 31-20 on the season while Wisconsin is now 20-30 and advanced to Thursday evening's quarterfinal vs. Rutgers.
The Short Story
Smith, who finished her outing just one strikeout shy of her season high, allowed just three hits against the Badgers on Wednesday night – but unfortunately, they all resulted in Wisconsin runs. The Badgers hit solo home runs in the second and fourth innings and also added a three-run double in the fourth.
The Buckeyes' only run came on a bases loaded walk in the second inning. Ohio State finished the game with four hits – one each from Tegan Cortelletti, Jasmyn Burns, McKenzie Bump and Kirsten Eppele.
How The Runs Were Scored
- After both teams were retired in order in the first inning, Wisconsin struck first as Brooke Kuffel hit her ninth home run of the season – a solo shot – with one down in the top of the second.
- Ohio State manufactured the game-tying run in the bottom of the second inning as McKenzie Bump hit an infield single, Sam Hackenbracht walked, Destinee Noury was hit by a pitch and Kaitlyn Farley walked with the bases loaded.
- On the first pitch of the fourth inning, Hillary Blomberg's solo home run gave the lead back to Wisconsin, 2-1.
- Later in the inning, Skylar Sirdashney's bases-clearing double with two outs put the Badgers ahead 5-1.
- On Wednesday morning, five Buckeyes earned postseason recognition from the Big Ten Conference: Kami Kortokrax (first team), Allison Smith (second team) and Taylor Heckman (second team) were All-Big Ten honorees while Jasmyn Burns earned a spot on the All-Freshman Team. Kirsten Eppele as the Sportsmanship Honoree.
- The Big Ten Tournament will continue with quarterfinal games on Thursday with the semifinals slated for Friday and the championship game on Saturday.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Magnanimo (11-15)
L: Smith, Allison (18-10)
Batting:
2B: Sirdashney 1
HR: Blomberg 1 ; Kuffel 1
RBI: Blomberg 1 ; Kuffel 1 ; Sirdashney 3
Base Running:
RUNS: Blomberg 1 ; Kuffel 1 ; Lucey 1 ; Bark 1 ; Hubbard 1
SB: Bannon 1
Batting:
2B: Cortelletti, Tegan 1
RBI: Farley, Kaitlyn 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Bump, McKenzie 1
HBP: Noury, Destinee 1
