Spartans Fall in Series Finale at Ohio State

GAME CAPSULE

Michigan State and Ohio State completed the 2021 season on Sunday afternoon in Columbus, with the Buckeyes closing out the weekend with a 5-0 victory.

The Buckeyes took three of the four games in the series, including a 10-inning 1-0 victory in the nightcap of Saturday's doubleheader. MSU finished the season at is now 14-26, and Ohio State at 24-19.

Both teams stranded seven runners in the game, but eight base hits led to the Ohio State scoring outbursts in the second and fifth innings, where they scored two and three runs, respectively. OSU loaded the bases with none out in the second and MSU escaped with just two runs across, but three base hits, a walk, and a hit batter allowed the home team to open up the game in the home half of the fifth.

Kennedy Wyllie had two base hits on the day, including a sixth-inning leadoff double. She ends the season on a nine-game hitting streak, the longest streak for any player this season.

Ashley Miller went 4.1 innings, striking out four and charged with just two earned runs. Sarah Ladd didn't allow a hit in the final 1 2/3 innings, where she struck out two.

Niki Carver and Megan McMenemy each had a pair of base hits for Ohio State, with freshman pitcher Allison Smith going 6 2/3 to pick up the win in the duel of freshmen standouts. Smith struck out six and walked four, scattering four hits before making way for senior Peyton Buresh to man the circle for the final out of the game.

With 14 Big Ten wins, the Spartans match their program best in a season, tying the 1986 team which went 14-10 in Conference play.

The game marked the final appearance in a Spartan uniform for Joanna Bartz, Laney Joyner, Katie Quinlan, Shae Schreckengost, and Alli Walker. MSU plans for the return of 17 letterwinners for the 2022 season.

PLAYER HIGHS

Ashley Miller took the loss, striking out four and surrendering eight hits. Sarah Ladd tossed 1.2 innings of relief, striking out two, walking one, and not allowing a base hit.
Kennedy Wyllie finished with a pair of base hits in the game, including a sixth-inning double.

STATS AND STORYLINES

Michigan State had a great chance in the top of the second when Kennedy Wyllie and Kendall Kates came up with base hits to put two on with one out, and had the bases loaded after a walk to Camryn Wincher but couldn't come up with the timely hit.
Ohio State loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom of the second, but got a single from Meggie Otte that plated two for a 2-0 lead.
The Spartans had baserunners in the fourth (1) and fifth (2), but couldn't get anything around.
The Buckeyes blew the game open in the bottom of the fifth. With one out and one on due to a Spartan miscue, a double and a single brought home a run, with Niki Carver putting up the RBI single. With two on and just one out, the Spartans went to the bullpen for Sarah Ladd; she walked and hit the first two batters she faced, which loaded the bases and then brought in a run. Otte then hit a sac fly to center to make it a three-run inning for the home team.
Kennedy Wyllie picked up her second base hit of the day to lead off the sixth, a double to right center. Caitie Ladd followed with a four-pitch walk, but Kates lined into a double play that picked off Wyllie as well.
Wyllie ended the season with base hits in each of the last 10 games. Kendall Kates and Camryn Wincher also had base hits in the finale.

Team Stats

Kennedy Wyllie

Kendall Kates

Camryn Wincher

Jenae Wash

Players Mentioned

Joanna Bartz

Laney Joyner

Kendall Kates

Caitie Ladd

Sarah Ladd

Ashley Miller

Katie Quinlan

Shae Schreckengost

Alli Walker

Camryn Wincher

Kennedy Wyllie

Players Mentioned

Joanna Bartz

Laney Joyner

Kendall Kates

Caitie Ladd

Sarah Ladd

Ashley Miller

Katie Quinlan

Shae Schreckengost

Alli Walker

Camryn Wincher

Kennedy Wyllie