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COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio State’s bats stayed hot following a series win over Michigan, as the Buckeyes took their momentum on the road with them Wednesday afternoon and picked up a 17-6 five-inning run-rule win at Dayton. The Buckeyes, winners of 18 of their 21 games, are 21-8 on the season while Dayton is now 15-12.
The Short Story
Ohio State scored six times in the top of the first inning – highlighted by a two-run home run by Melina Wilkison – and six more times in the top of the fifth to put the run rule into effect. In total, nine different players had hits and five had extra base hits: home runs by Wilkison, Kaitlyn Farley and Mariah Rodriguez along with a double by Kami Korokrax and triple from Hannah Church.
Allison Smith was the winning pitcher, going 4.2 innings in relief and allowing three hits and no earned runs. She’s now 11-4 on the season.
How The Runs Were Scored
- Before Dayton had a chance to come to the plate, the Buckeyes jumped out to a 6-0 first-inning lead.
- The rally started with a UD error and continued as the next batter – Melina Wilkson – hit a home run to left field, her fourth of the season.
- Four batters later, Destinee Noury singled with the bases loaded, scoring Sam Hackenbracht. A bases loaded walk plated the fourth run and Hannah Church drove in another on a sacrifice fly to make the score 5-0.
- The Buckeyes’ sixth run was scored via a wild pitch, allowing Noury to come home.
- Dayton would answer right back, however, scoring six times in the home half of the first. Its rally was keyed by a three-run double, a RBI bunt single and two-run double by Ali Weekley.
- Kaitlyn Farley quickly untied the game in the top of the third inning with a two-run home run. It was the first home run of her career.
- The next batter – Mariah Rodriguez – followed with her first home run of the season, extending the Ohio State lead to 9-6.
- The Buckeyes scored twice in the fourth inning thanks to a UD error and sacrifice fly by Noury.
- Leading 11-6 in the top of the fifth, Ohio State broke the game wide open with a six-run inning. Hackenbracht added two RBI and Church drove in three with a two-out bases loaded triple.
Buckeye This and That
- Church’s four RBI were a career high. She was 1-for-2 on the afternoon and also drew a walk.
- Wilkson has reached base in a career-high 21 consecutive games.
- Three RBI on the afternoon gives Hackenbracht 96 for her career. She was 3-for-4 on the afternoon and also scored two runs.
- Kami Kortokrax also collected three hits – including her team-leading 11th double of the season – to raise her average of the season to .337.
- The Buckeyes scored 10 or more runs for the fifth time in the last 12 games.
- During the current string of 18 wins in the last 21 games, Ohio State is averaging 7.1 runs per game and hitting .341 as a team.
- Farley’s home run was her fifth extra base hit in the last 10 games. During that stretch, she has three doubles, a triple and a home run.
What’s Next
Ohio State now turns its focus to its first Big Ten road series of the season. The Buckeyes travel to Bloomington, Ind. to face the Hoosiers Friday-Sunday. All three games will be streamed live on BTN+ with a link to live stats available on the schedule page of OhioStateBuckeyes.com.
