Wilhelm Homers in 3-1 Setback Against No. 23 Duke

Sunday, March 1

Durham, N.C.

12:30 p.m.

Ohio State

6-11

Duke

12-9

Ohio State

Duke

Wilhelm Homers in 3-1 Setback Against No. 23 Duke

3/1/2026 2:52:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

Buckeyes will play their home opener this coming Friday, March 6

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio State wrapped up its weekend at the Duke Invitational on Sunday with a hard-fought 3-1 setback against the No. 23-ranked Blue Devils. The Buckeyes are 6-11 on the season and now will turn their attention to conference play, which begins next weekend vs. Iowa.

The Short Story
On Sunday, Duke was able to score twice in the first inning and then added a key insurance run in the sixth inning on a pinch hit home run. The Buckeyes' offense came in the form of Abbie Wilhelm, who hit a solo home run in the top of the sixth inning to cut Duke's 2-0 lead in half.

In the circle, freshman Jenna Molk went 4.1 innings and scattered seven hits with two strikeouts and no walks. Sophomore Lorin Boutte relieved her and worked the final 1.2 innings with two strikeouts.

How The Runs Were Scored

Duke's two runs in the first inning came via a wild pitch and one-out single through the left side of the infield.
The score remained 2-0 for the next four innings as Molk and Boutte combined to allow just four hits in that span.
Wilhelm's home run in the sixth inning was to right center field and came with two outs.
Duke's KK Mathis' pinch hit home run in the bottom of the sixth closed out the scoring on the day.

This and That on the Buckeyes

Wilhelm homered in each game of this weekend's Duke Invitational and now has a team-high nine round-trippers this season with 18 RBI. This weekend, she hit .385 with a 1.385 slugging percentage, four home runs and five RBI.
Wilhelm and Sami Bewick combined to go 3-for-6 on Sunday.
Molk and Boutte walked just one batter in seven innings today while throwing a combined 109 pitches.

What's Next
After playing its first 17 games away from home, the Buckeyes return to Columbus and the friendly confines of Buckeye Field next weekend when they open Big Ten play against Iowa March 6-8. Friday's home opener is slated for a 5 p.m. start.

Seating at Buckeye Field will include both general admission and reserved (NEW in 2026!). A limited number of student tickets will be available for free at each game with a BuckID on a first come, first serve basis. Children under two years old and younger will be admitted free but must sit on an adult's lap.

Pricing ranges from $14 for general admission non-premier games to $27 for reserved seating at premier games. For a full list of ticket prices and premier/non-premier games and to purchase tickets, CLICK HERE.