Eric Boggs
For the Ohio State softball team, not all series wins are created equal—especially when it comes to playing Michigan. In a weekend that will go down as one of the most memorable in program history, the Buckeyes not only swept the Wolverines for the first time ever but did so with jaw-dropping power, resilient comebacks, and record-breaking performances that electrified Buckeye Field.
From Friday’s doubleheader thrillers to Sunday’s emphatic 15-7 walk-off win in six innings, this wasn’t just a sweep—it was a statement. Hadley Parisien was the exclamation point, hitting two walk-off home runs in the series, including a grand slam to end the finale. Her 17th home run of the season secured the sweep and brought the scarlet and gray faithful to their feet for the third straight sellout crowd of the weekend.
The Buckeyes improved to 37-10-1 overall and 11-5 in Big Ten play, while Michigan fell to 31-15 (9-7 B1G). But numbers only tell part of the story. Ohio State came from behind in all three games, showcasing the kind of grit, heart, and firepower that define championship-caliber teams.
Friday’s opening win featured a 4-3 comeback capped by Skylar Limon’s go-ahead homer in the sixth and a clutch defensive gem in the seventh. Game two was even more dramatic: down 4-0 in the fifth, the Buckeyes roared back behind home runs from Limon, Jasmyn Burns, and Kaitlyn Farley. Burns’ blast was her 21st of the season—setting a new program single-season record. Farley tied the game with a two-run shot, setting the stage for Parisien’s walk-off three-run homer that sealed the 7-4 win.
Sunday brought more fireworks. Michigan struck first with a grand slam in the opening inning, but the Buckeyes didn’t flinch. Sami Bewick answered immediately with a three-run homer, and from there, the momentum shifted. Ohio State poured on the runs behind RBI doubles from Taylor Cruse and Parisien, followed by another record-breaking moment from Burns. Her fifth-inning grand slam—her 22nd homer—shattered the single-season RBI record with her 68th of the year. Parisien finished the game, and the sweep, with her own grand slam in the bottom of the sixth.
In the circle, Kennedy Kay earned her 11th win of the year on Sunday, going six innings and striking out three. Lorin Boutte and Kay also picked up wins in Friday’s doubleheader, each delivering composed performances to stifle Michigan’s offense at key moments.
Offensively, the Buckeyes were relentless. Over the three-game series, Parisien drove in eight runs and posted a .462 on-base percentage. Farley hit .429 with a homer, and Burns was her usual dominant self, combining power and poise to lead this record-challenging offense. With 118 home runs on the season, Ohio State has tied the Big Ten single-season record originally set by Michigan in 2015.
This weekend was a celebration of more than just victories—it was a celebration of Buckeye pride, perseverance, and history in the making. The home crowd of over 1,000 on Sunday was the cherry on top, witnessing the program’s 35th multi-home-run game of the year and Ohio State’s continued dominance at Buckeye Field, where they now boast a 16-3 record this season.
Earlier in the week, the Buckeyes also rolled past Dayton with an 11-2 win, powered by four home runs and a 14-hit attack. Hailey Lang, Taylor Cruse, Skylar Limon, and Kami Kortokrax all went deep, while freshman pitchers Layna Gerhard and Kassandra Gewecke held the Flyers in check.
Next up for the surging Buckeyes is a midweek trip to Athens to face Ohio University, followed by a return home for their final regular-season series against Purdue. With momentum, records, and rivalry dominance in hand, Ohio State is poised for a deep postseason run—and they’ve made it clear: no one in the Big Ten wants to face this team right now.
