Softball Falls 4-0 to No. 21/22 Ohio State

Sunday, February 18

Raleigh, N.C.

10:00 AM

University of Louisville

6-3

Ohio State

8-1

Ohio State

Louisville

February 18, 2018 | Softball

Box Score Ohio State 4 -Louisville 0

Cardinals' offense limited to three hits

By: Lori Korte

RALEIGH, N.C. – The University of Louisville softball team fell 4-0 to No. 21/22 Ohio State in the final game of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge Sunday at NC State's Dail Stadium. The Cardinals (6-3) will return to action next weekend when they travel to Orlando, Fla., for the D-9 Citrus Classic 1 where they will face Lehigh, South Carolina, Morgan State, South Alabama and Harvard.

Seniors Jenna Jordan and Alison Szydlowski and sophomore Celene Funke each had a hit for the Cardinals. Freshman Danielle Watson (4-2) took the loss after giving up one earned run on three hits and striking out four in 4.0 innings of work.

After playing through two scoreless innings, the Buckeyes (8-1) got on the scoreboard courtesy of Emily Clark's two-out solo home run in the top of the third.

Ohio State tacked on another run in the sixth when Clark led off the frame with a walk, took second on Ashley Goodwin's sacrifice bunt. Walks to Becca Gavin and Boren loaded the bases and an error sent Clark home to make the score 2-0.

The Buckeyes used three hits to tally a pair of runs in the seventh. Lilly Piper and Clark registered back-to-back singles to put runners on the corners. Piper scored on Goodwin's sacrifice bunt. Shelby McCombs' RBI hit increased the lead to 4-0.

Louisville had scoring opportunities in the third and fifth, both initiated by Funke. In the third inning, the left fielder bunted for a single, stole second and took third on a groundout. In the fifth, she walked, stole second and moved to third on a wild pitch. Ferguson earned a walk to put two on, but the Cardinals were unable to capitalize.

Morgan Ray (4-1) picked the complete game shutout win, striking out six and scattering three hits. Clark went 2 for 3 with a home run, an RBI and scored three runs to pace the Buckeyes at the plate.