The seniors bade their team farewell as the Ohio State softball squad wrapped up its regular season yesterday with a 6-2 loss against Penn State in a series split.
In the final game of the weekend series, the Nittany Lions came from behind in the third inning to sail ahead of the Buckeyes, thanks to a four-run fifth inning.
“We wanted to win and do it for the seniors,” first baseman and pitcher Kristi DeVries said. “Everyone was into it, but it just didn’t happen for us today.”
After a scoreless first inning, OSU third baseman Kristine Himes singled on a strong drive to right field and advanced to second on catcher Annie Dedic’s sacrifice bunt.
However, the Buckeyes couldn’t take advantage as Himes was thrown out at third on DeVries’ single. OSU’s momentum was completely stopped as right fielder Amy Ellis struck out.
“This could have possibly been my last game ever,” Himes said. “You just have to put your heart on your sleeve, and you leave it there. That’s all you can do.”
The first Penn State run was scored in the bottom of the second off a single by right fielder Megan Humphrey, which brought in left fielder Leigh Murray.
OSU answered back in the third with two runs to take the lead, as second baseman Jennifer Link hit her first home run of the season, scoring left fielder Karisa Evans.
The score remained the same until the Nittany Lions’ fifth inning. Third baseman Destinie Chavez started the inning with a single, followed by Humphrey’s single. A sacrifice bunt by outfielder Barbie Pierce advanced the runners, and a hit to center field from Gina Bianchini brought home pinch runner Jackie Dabrowski to tie the game.
The Nittany Lions then took a 3-2 lead when shortstop Mandy Nuxoll singled to bring Humphrey home.
The Buckeyes brought in DeVries on the mound, but Penn State center fielder Kelley Galigher continued the assault with her RBI double.
“They came out swinging,” OSU coach Linda Kalafatis said. “They put the ball where they needed to – at that point I don’t think we could have thrown them anything that they couldn’t hit. They really came in focused and got the job done.”
Penn State added another run in the sixth when Nuxoll singled on a bobble by DeVries, bringing home Chavez.
“There is no doubt we had a good senior class,” Kalafatis said. “Anytime you have career leaders, All-Conference players and All-Americans, you’re going to be left with some open spots. There’s turnover every year – you just have to keep going at it.”
