Ohio State capitalized on three errors by the Cal State Fullerton defense,
scoring seven unearned runs to lift the Buckeyes to a 7-2 victory over
the No. 24 Titans on Sunday morning in the consolation bracket of the
NFCA Leadoff Classic.
The Titans finished 1-4 in the tournament and fell to 4-10 overall on
the season. Ohio State improved to 2-3 in the tournament (5-5 overall)
and will face Massachusetts in the Bronze Championship bracket consolation
final.
Candice Baker (1-7) suffered the loss without allowing an earned run on
eight hits, walking six, and striking out four. Kristi DeVries (1-3) earned
the victory, allowing two runs on six hits and striking out eight.
Julie Watson led off the third inning with a single through the right
side and moved to second base on a sacrifice bunt by Monica Tantlinger.
That brought up Lindsey Bashor, who sent the first pitch from OSU starter
Kristi DeVries to the opposite field over the rightfield fence for the
2-0 lead.
Ohio State finally broke through in the fifth after being held to just
three hits in 4 1/3 innings. Pinch hitter Karisa Evans reached on a throwing
error after striking out and loaded the bases thanks to a pair of walks.
Natalie Hales then singled down the left field line to score Evans, cutting
the Titans' lead to 2-1.
A two-out wild pitch later in the inning then plated Jamee Juarez with
the tying run and Jennifer Johnson smacked a single back up the middle
to give the Buckeyes the lead. OSU's rally was halted when Bashor's throw
home on the Johnson single caught Breana Pozzi trying to score from second
to end the inning.
The Buckeyes broke it open in the sixth, scoring four unearned runs on
an error, a bases-loaded walk, and a two-run single to center by DeVries
for the 7-2 lead.
Fullerton threatened in the seventh as Jennifer Holt led off with a single
and Watson reached on a two-out base hit down the rightfield line. However,
DeVries ended the rally, getting Monica Tantlinger to ground out to second
to end the game.
The Titans return to action this weekend, playing in front of the hometown
fans for the first time in 2004. Cal State Fullerton hosts the nine-team
Worth Invitational, beginning on Friday morning at 10 a.m. at the Titan
Softball Complex and continuing throughout the weekend.
For the complete tournament schedule, please click here.
