MSU Drops Opener at Ohio State

Friday, May 14

Columbus, Ohio

6 pm

Michigan State University

13-24, 0

Ohio State

22-18, 0

Michigan State

Ohio State

5/14/2021 8:29:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

GAME CAPSULE

Michigan State fell to host Ohio State 7-1 in the first game of a four-game series in Columbus on Friday.

The Spartans scattered five base hits without any player having more than one, and fell into a hole after a four-run third inning for Ohio State (22-18). Michigan State starter Sarah Ladd took the loss in the circle, going 2.0 innings and surrendering three of the four runs in the third, including a homer by Sam Hachenbracht that was the big blow in the inning.

Alli Walker came on in the third to pitch for the Spartans (13-24), surrendering a single run in the third and two in the fifth for the final 7-1 margin. Both gave up five base hits, with Ladd striking out three.

MSU's run came in the top of the third on an RBI single by Kennedy Wyllie, who brought home Katie Quinlan after a walk and a ground ball by Alexis Barroso which sent her to second.

Mariah Rodriguez finished 3-for-4 for Ohio State, and Ashley Prange had a pair of hits.

The teams meet again on Saturday in a doubleheader that begins at 2 pm.

PLAYER HIGHS

Kennedy Wyllie went 1-for-2 with a walk and the lone RBI in the game
Sarah Ladd struck out three in two innings of work, surrendering four runs.
Alexis Barroso, Caitie Ladd, Mackenzie Meech, and Marissa Trivelpiece all had base hits for MSU.

STATS AND STORYLINES

Ohio State took the early lead in the home half of the first. A leadoff double and one-out single scored Mariah Rodriguez.
A Kennedy Wyllie RBI single after a Katie Quinlan walk brought home the tying run for the Spartans in the top of the third.
The Buckeyes blew things open with a four-run third inning after the Spartan run in the top of the frame. An error allowed the leadoff hitter to reach, and a single by Niki Carver brought the runner around with a single down the right field line. A two-run homer by Sam Hackenbracht made it a 4-1 game, and the Spartans went to the bullpen for Alli Walker. A single, wild pitch, and fly ball to right allowed Ashley Prange to go to third, and came home on a Taylor Pack sac fly for the 5-1 lead.
A double and a pair of walks set up a two-run single for Kirsten Eppele in the bottom of the fifth, all with two outs on the scoreboard.
The Spartans are in a stretch of playing 15 contests in 17 days.