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COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio State’s 2023 Big Ten schedule opens with a marquee matchup, as the Buckeyes host Michigan this weekend. Because of weather, the schedule for the weekend has shifted a bit. The series will get underway on Saturday at 3 p.m., followed by a single game on Sunday beginning at 1 p.m. The date and time for the third game of the series is TBD.
How to Follow
- All three games of this weekend’s series will be streamed on BTN+. For subscription information, visit www.btnplus.com.
- A link to live stats will be available on the schedule page of OhioStateBuckeyes.com.
- Twitter updates are also available at @OhioStateSB
The Basics
Michigan at Ohio State // Saturday, March 25 // 3 p.m. // Buckeye Field; Columbus, Ohio
Watch Live: BTN+ // Live Stats // Twitter Updates
Michigan at Ohio State // Sunday, March 26 // 1 p.m. // Buckeye Field; Columbus, Ohio
Watch Live: BTN+ // Live Stats // Twitter Updates
Michigan at Ohio State // TBD // Buckeye Field; Columbus, Ohio
Watch Live: BTN+ // Live Stats // Twitter Updates
Buckeye in a Nutshell
- Ohio State is 18-7 on the season and has won 12 straight games following Tuesday’s 4-3 come-from-behind win in its home opener against Kent State.
- The 12-game winning streak is Ohio State’s longest in 17 years, since it also won 12 straight during the 2006 season.
- The Buckeyes enter conference play with the Big Ten’s third-best overall winning percentage.
- Offensively, Ohio State averages over five runs per game and is hitting .308 as a team.
- Melina Wilkison (.424, 22 RBI, six doubles) leads a group of six players who have a .300 or better average.
- Additionally, six players have driven in 10 or more runs so far.
- In the circle, Allison Smith leads the Big Ten with 114 strikeouts. She’s also tops in the team in innings (81.2), ERA (2.06) and wins (nine).
- Classmate Emily Ruck is 4-4 on the season with a 2.82 ERA in 44.2 innings. She tossed the program’s first perfect game in 16 years on March 10 vs. Canisius.
Scouting Michigan
- The Wolverines enter conference play with a 13-11 record. They last played on Sunday, dropping a 2-1 decision at No. 14 Kentucky.
- Lexie Blair, a first team All-Big Ten selection last season, leads the offense with a .333 average. She has four doubles, a triple and 11 RBI.
- Keke Tholl has a team-best 15 RBI and .507 slugging percentage.
- The Wolverines have two pitchers with ERAs below 3.00: Lauren Derkowski (8-5, 1.84 ERA, 102 Ks in 80.0 IP) and Jessica LaBeau (5-6, 2.80 ERA, 68 Ks in 65.0 IP).
- Head coach Bonnie Tholl is in her first year as Michigan’s head coach after serving for 29 years as the Wolverines’ top assistant coach under Carol Hutchins.
About the Winning Streak
- Over the last 21 seasons, Ohio State’s current 12-game winning streak is tied for the third-longest of any Buckeye team.
- The 2006 squad won 12 consecutive games from April 5-April 19 as did the 2001 team (March 8-March 24).
- The 2002 team owns the program’s longest and second-longest winning streaks. It won 14 consecutive games from March 12-24 and 18 straight between April 7-May 2.
- During the Buckeyes’ current winning streak, they are averaging 6.9 runs per game while allowing just 1.5.
- Melina Wilkison has been the team’s hottest hitter, checking in with a .512 batting average, 13 RBI and 14 runs scored.
- Kaitlyn Farley isn’t far behind with her .500 average and .611 on-base percentage.
- Overall, Ohio State’s team batting average over the last 12 games is .354.
- The Buckeyes also have 24 stolen bases while their opponents have swiped just two.
- All five of Ohio State’s pitchers have a win over the last 12 games. Allison Smith is 6-0 with a 0.84 ERA and 67 strikeouts in her last six starts.
Buckeye This and That
- Melina Wilkison enters the weekend on a season-best 10-game hitting streak. She’s also reached base safely in 17 consecutive games.
- In addition to Wilkison, Jaycee Ruberti (15 games) and Kaitlyn Farley (13 games) also have double-figure active streaks of reaching base.
- Allison Smith has struck out 10 or more batters in each of her last three starts. Overall, she has six games this season with 10+ strikeouts.
- Smith’s 317 career strikeouts ranks seventh in program history.
- Ohio State pitchers have allowed three or fewer earned runs in 10 of their last 12 starts.
- The Buckeyes are 7-1 this season in games decided by one run.
