On the same day the NFL promoted breast cancer awareness, college teams from Ohio finished a softball tournament with the same purpose.
The 19-team tournament at Fred Beekman Park ended with only two undefeated teams.
The Buckeyes were one of them.
The softball team won its first three games in dominating fashion: 11-1 against Dayton, 7-1 against Ohio and 10-1 against Kent State. Victories over Dayton and Kent State were ended by the mercy rule at the end of the fifth inning.
OSU’s defense won its fourth game 5-2 against Bowling Green, and allowed just two runs from a home run in the third inning.
The offense did not get started until the bottom of the fourth when freshman Julia Peccina hit a triple down the left field line to score freshman Brittany Mills. Peccina then scored a run on a single by senior Rebecca Schultz.
One more run was added later in the fourth on a single by sophomore Katie Simonton to cap the three run inning. The Buckeyes took the lead back for good, and went on to win 5-2.
“We’re pleased with the weekend … after only two weeks of practice,” said coach Linda Kalafatis. “We looked more comfortable and showed maturity. We took a great step in the right direction. This tournament gives us game experience to grow as a team.”
Offensive numbers for the Buckeyes were impressive throughout the tournament. The team had a collective batting average of .390 with 13 extra base hits including six home runs.
Senior Sam Marder led the team offensively with a .450 batting average, nine RBI and two home runs.
The pitching staff had a 1.88 ERA while allowing only 20 hits. Senior Megan Miller and freshman Melanie Nichols carried the brunt of the load for the Buckeyes on the mound, combining for 19 strikeouts and walking only three batters.
“Fall is all about getting freshmen ready and comfortable,” Kalafatis said.
Freshman contribution was not only present on the mound with Melanie Nichols, but at the plate and on the field with Peccina and Megan Coletta.
Peccina appeared in three games, starting two of them, and went 4-8 with two runs scored and three RBI. Coletta had a big weekend, going 4-10, including a home run and a double, with five RBI, She started all four games.
Coletta also made a spectacular double play as the third baseman in the bottom of the fifth inning against Ohio. She dove to catch a low line drive down the third base line then threw to first base to double off the runner heading to second base.
“The freshmen will contribute this season,” Kalafatis said.
The money raised from the volunteer-run tournament benefits the Stefanie Spielman Fund for Breast Cancer Research at the Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute.
Chris Spielman spoke at this year’s Ohio Collegiate Charity Classic to inform the participating women about the tournament, the Stefanie Spielman Fund and the precautions needed to deal with breast cancer, urging them all to be educated and know about their body.
“While you’re playing softball, you might be savings someone’s life. … I promise you will make a difference,” Spielman said to the players. “What you give will grow, what you keep you lose.”
Kalafatis was grateful for the overwhelming support from the crowd.
“We had a good crowd and we are thankful for their support of this important event,” she said.
