Ohio State Splits Doubleheader With Illinois; Clinches Series Win

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COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio State and Illinois completed their three-game sequence with a doubleheader on Saturday at Eichelberger Discipline, because the Illini took recreation one, 13-9, however Ohio State bounced again for a 9-1 win within the second recreation to clinch the sequence. The win, which was Ohio State’s sixth within the final seven video games, improves its document to 27-14 general and 8-6 in Massive Ten play. Illinois is 24-20, 3-11. 

The Quick Story
Ohio State’s bats hit 4 residence runs on the day and registered 18 whole hits. After nursing a 2-0 lead by means of 4 innings in recreation two, the Buckeyes scored 3 times within the fifth and 4 extra occasions within the sixth to tug away.

Melina Wilkison homered in every recreation and drove in six runs. Jaycee Ruberti had 4 hits on the afternoon and Mariah Rodriguez chipped in with three.

Allison Smith (14-8) picked up her second win of the weekend whereas scattering simply 4 hits and permitting one earned run.

Sport One: Illinois 13, Ohio State 9 – Sport Notes

• The Buckeyes’ bats had been capable of get off to a scorching begin, as Ohio State scored 4 occasions within the prime of the primary inning and twice extra within the second to seize an early 6-3 lead.
• Kami Kortokrax, Sam Hackenbracht and Meggie Otte all had RBI within the first inning and Hackenbracht and Otte picked up extra RBI within the second.
• Illinois was capable of plate 4 run within the backside of the third inning to take its first lead of the sport, 7-6, and added one within the backside of the fifth to go up 8-6.
• With no person out within the prime of the sixth, Hackenbracht launched her second residence run of the sequence and sixth of the season to attract Ohio State inside one, 8-7.
• She completed the sport 3-for-4 with a house run, a double and three RBI.
• The Illini scored 5 occasions within the backside half of the sixth inning to open up a 13-7 lead.
• Melina Wilkison made the rating 13-9 within the prime of the seventh together with her ninth residence run of the season. She had a two-hit recreation and likewise scored three runs.
• Of Ohio State’s 12 hits, 4 had been for further bases: two doubles and two residence runs.
• All 5 pitchers on Ohio State’s roster noticed motion within the recreation. Emily Ruck began and went 2.2 innings earlier than giving strategy to Kennedy Kay, who pitched 2.2 innings. Lexie Paulsen recorded the ultimate three outs within the sixth inning.

Sport Two: Ohio State 9, Illinois 1 (6 inn.) – Sport Notes

• Wilkison stayed scorching after her efficiency within the first recreation, hitting a solo residence run with one out within the prime of the primary inning to offer Ohio State and early 1-0.
• It was the third consecutive recreation within the sequence that the Buckeyes scored within the prime of the primary inning.
• Ohio State’s run of residence runs continued within the prime of the third as Mariah Rodriguez obtained into the act, lifting a solo shot to straightaway centerfield.
• The Buckeyes manufactured three runs within the prime of the fifth inning to take a 5-0 lead. It began with three consecutive singles by McKenzie Bump, Kaitlyn Farley and Mariah Rodriguez.
• Wilkison then had a sac fly to deep middle subject, Kortokrax adopted with an RBI floor out and Rodriguez scored on an Illinois error.
• The sport obtained into run-rule territory within the prime of the sixth inning due to a bases loaded hit by pitch and two-run RBI double from Wilkison. Rodriguez would additionally rating on a wild pitch to make the rating 9-0.
• The 1-2 tandem of Rodriguez and Wilkson mixed to go 4-for-6 with 4 runs scored and 6 RBI.
• Smith received her 14th recreation of the season within the circle, scattering 4 hits over 6.0 innings whereas hanging out three and strolling simply two.

Sequence Notes

• In its two wins over Illinois this weekend, Ohio State scored 20 mixed runs, hit six residence runs and allowed only one run.
• Since 2013, Ohio State has a 11-6 document in opposition to Illinois and has received the sequence every of the final 3 times it’s been performed at Eichelberger Discipline.
• Within the first recreation on Saturday’s doubleheader, fifth-year senior Meggie Otte recorded her one centesimal profession RBI.
• After scoring no less than 9 runs in every of the three video games this weekend, Ohio State is now averaging 6.8 runs per recreation in 14 Massive Ten contests.
• Sam Hackenbracht hit .545 with a 1.182 slugging share and .615 on-base share with two residence runs and 6 RBI.
• Smith was the successful pitcher in each Buckeye victories, going 11.0 inning on the weekend with a 1.27 ERA and .189 batting common in opposition to.

What’s Subsequent
After going 4-1 away from residence this previous week, Ohio State returns to Columbus to start a seven-game homestand on Tuesday when it hosts Youngstown State. Admission and parking is free with first pitch scheduled for six p.m.

The sport may also be streamed reside on BTN+. For updated data on Ohio State softball, together with schedule updates, in-game rating updates and recaps, go to @OhioStateSB.