If the Ohio State softball team has any designs of doing anything in the postseason, it has to get going in Big Ten play in earnest. There seems to be signs of life, especially after taking two from Penn State on Tuesday in weeknight doubleheader.
The offense had things cooking in the first game at Buckeye Field with a 16-8 win in six innings. The Buckeyes raced out to a 6-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning thanks to a pair of three-run homers. Kirsten Eppele had a day, blasting one of the home runs in the first inning, tripling in the fourth, and doubling in the sixth inning.
Allison Smith notched her 14th win in the first game with a six inning outing that had eight strikeouts.
The second game was a totally different feel. Rather than a slugfest, it was a pitcher’s duel that ended when Kami Kortokrax doubled with two outs to send the game-winning run home with a final score of 2-1, a fitting way to send the home fans home happy. It wasn’t the only bright spot for Kortokrax. She went 3-for-4 with two doubles.
Emily Ruck got the win on her third complete game victory of the season. She struck out five and walked two.
๐๐ฐ๐จ ๐ฌ๐๐จ๐จ๐ฉ๐ฌ ๐จ๐ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ง๐ง๐ข๐ง๐ #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/jwa8HSA9FG
— Ohio State Softball (@OhioStateSB) April 17, 2024
With the two victories, Ohio State improves its Big Ten record to 5-9 and overall record to 23-17. The Buckeyes will be at home again tomorrow night hosting Pittsburgh.
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