Big Inning For OSU Sinks Spartans, 6-2

Saturday, April 21

Columbus, OH

2:00 PM

Michigan State University

16-23, 0

Ohio State

28-11, 0

Michigan State

Ohio State

4/21/2018 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score

April 21, 2018

Box Score | PDF Box: Ohio State 6, MSU 2

SPARTAN SYNOPSIS

Riley Paxson hit her first career homer and Lea Foerster doubled twice, but Michigan State dropped a 6-2 decision at Ohio State on Saturday, as the Buckeyes secured the series victory.

The Buckeyes (28-11, 9-4 ) got all the offense they needed in a six-run third inning, putting together the rally on three base hits and three walks. MSU pitcher Bridgette Rainey issued three straight walks that scored two runs, and then also gave up a bases-clearing double to pinch hitter Kallie Boren that blew open the game.

Shelby McCombs earned the win in the circle for Ohio State, throwing a complete game and surrendering five hits, walking five and striking out six. She also helped herself offensively, lacing a third-inning double that tied the game at 1-1.

Foerster had two doubles and walked twice for the Spartans (16-23, 4-10 B1G), while both Ebonee Echols and Kelcey Carrasco also had two hits in the game. Bridgette Rainey took the complete game loss in the circle.

MSU had won the first two games of the Buckeye series in East Lansing a year ago before OSU rallied for a game-three win.

The teams play the series finale at 12 noon on Sunday in a game that will be televised live by the Big Ten Network.

TOP PERFORMERS

Lea Foerster had a pair of doubles and two walks scoring once.

Freshman Riley Paxson hit her first collegiate home run in the top of the fourth inning.

Ebonee Echols and Kelcey Carrasco each had two-hit outings.

QUOTABLE
"Ohio State took advantage of the mistakes that we made - it took one big inning for them to get the win today, and we need to do a better job of closing out innings. Credit to Ohio State- they got the rally going and put up that crooked number in the third inning and they held on. We left eight runners, and have struggled all year to get those timely hits that move runners around to score."

Head Coach Jacquie Joseph

STATS AND STORYLINES

Lea Foerster led off the game with a double to the wall in center field for the second straight day, stole third, and then came home on a two-out RBI single by Kelcey Carrasco.

MSU threatened again in the second, as McCombs got the first two outs but then walked the bases loaded. The bases stayed that way, as McCombs got pinch-hitter Lexi White to look at a called third strike to end the inning.

In the bottom of the third, the Buckeyes tied it on an RBI double by McCombs, helping her own cause. OSU had a pair of runners in scoring position when Rainey walked three straight batters to bring across two more runs, making it a 3-1 game. Rainey struck out Betschel, but Kallie Boren doubled to right to push the lead to 6-1 for the home team.

Riley Paxson came on as a pinch hitter with two out in the top of the fourth and crushed a ball to deep center that was a no-doubter off the bat. It was her first collegiate home run.

In the seventh, Lea Foerster battled through a 10-pitch at-bat before stroking a double to left center, and Ebonee Echols singled to give MSU a pair of baserunners with two outs. McCombs got out of the inning without another MSU run crossing the plate and stranded a total of eight Spartan runners in the game.

Bridgette Rainey kept the home team off the scoreboard in five of six innings, but was tagged for six runs on five hits with seven walks. She struck out four.