The Ohio State softball team (36-7, 12-2 Big Ten) takes on non-conference opponent Oakland in a doubleheader at 2 p.m. Sunday from Buckeye Field.

The Buckeyes’ loss to Purdue in game one of a doubleheader Wednesday snapped an 11 game winning streak. Sophomore pitcher Lindsay Bodeker’s eight strikeouts in game two helped start a new winning streak.

Coach Linda Kalafatis is excited about the break in Big Ten play, but with so little games left in Buckeye Field, she wants to win them all.

“It is nice to have a non-conference game and maybe have a little pressure off, but at the same time we want to come out and play hard,” she said.

Kalafatis has not decided on starting pitchers but expects there to be some lineup changes. Junior pitcher Megan Miller or Bodeker could get the start in game one. She said she would be surprised if senior captain Kim Reeder did not start at least one game.

“It might be that Reeder will want the ball a little bit after after [a loss],” she said. Reeder’s loss to Purdue in game one was her first since March 24 at North Carolina State.

Sophomore third basemen Rachel Shepherd will get a rare start from behind the plate and give Junior Sam Marder a much-needed break. Marder has started all but eight of the 43 games for the Buckeyes.

OSU does not play Saturday, so the team will get to enjoy a day off.

“They will get to see the Spring Game, which is nice, but hopefully they will come back Sunday and will be focused,” said Kalafatis.

The Oakland Golden Grizzlies (18-24) are just 8-11 on the road, but their four game winning streak is the longest of the season. The Grizzlies’ offense is led by senior second basemen Julie Owen. Owen leads Oakland in home runs (3), RBIs (24), and batting average (.389).

Senior pitcher Jessica Granger will start one game of the doubleheader. Granger is 13-12 on the season and has a stingy ERA of 2.43.

The Oakland series is a part of a four game non-conference home stand. Ohio State hosts a doubleheader Wednesday against Western Michigan.

Evan Winkofsky can be reached at [email protected].