The Wisconsin softball team managed just four hits against Ohio State as the Buckeyes claimed a 6-0 victory to even the two-game series at 1-1. Ohio State (32-9, 3-3) got things rolling early in the game when Anna Smith scored from second on a Stacy Roth single in the top of the first. Wisconsin had a chance to even the score in the bottom of the frame as freshman Kristin Zacher reached second with a stolen base, but a fly out to center by sophomore Meghann Reiss ended the inning.
The Badgers threatened again in the fourth as Reiss gave the team a runner in scoring position with her seventh double of the season. Junior Anna Jones moved pinch runner Mandy Liles to third with a single to shallow left field, but OSU pitcher Kristi DeVries got out of trouble with one of her eight strikeouts, followed by a fly out to left.
Roth gave OSU an insurance run in the sixth with an RBI single up the middle. The Buckeyes closed the door in the seventh by scoring four runs off of three hits, including a two-run homer by Kristine Himes and an RBI triple by Smith.
OSU’s 11 hits were the second most by a Badger opponent this season and the six runs were the most given up by the UW since a 6-0 loss to Arkansas March 1.
In the opening game of the series, UW’s defense and offense faired better.
Junior Anna Jones went 3-for-3 with an RBI as Wisconsin earned a 2-0 victory at Ohio State. Runs in the third and fifth innings were all the offense Andrea Kirchberg needed for her 30th career shutout as UW out-hit the Buckeyes, 10-3.
Wisconsin (21-10 overall, 4-1 Big Ten) loaded the bases in the second inning, but OSU (31-9, 2-3) got out of trouble with a pair of forced outs. In the third, a double to left field by freshman Kristen Zacher preceded what would be the game-winning RBI, a single to left by Reiss.
Three singles in the fifth inning gave the Badgers an insurance run. Jones singled with two outs to score Zacher from second.
The Buckeyes managed just one hit and three base runners prior to making it an interesting game in the bottom of the seventh. Chrissy Fowler and Kristi DeVries each recorded hits for OSU to put two runners on for the first time in the game before Wisconsin ended it with a fly out to center field.
Kirchberg, who improved to 13-8 and gained her fourth shutout of the season, forced Ohio State to go three-and-out in three innings.
— Compiled from staff reports
