Eric Boggs
Ohio State softball continues to set the standard for offensive firepower, securing two impressive victories this week against Purdue Fort Wayne and Akron. The Buckeyes extended their winning streak to nine games, improving to 27-6-1 on the season while making history along the way.
Against Purdue Fort Wayne, Ohio State displayed its signature home-run-hitting prowess, blasting seven long balls to tie a program record for most in a single game. Morgan Frye’s second-inning blast not only extended the Buckeyes’ lead but also broke the program’s single-season home run record, surpassing the previous mark of 75 set in 2015. Ohio State entered the game against Akron with 78 home runs on the season, further cementing its status as the nation’s most prolific power-hitting team. The victory also marked a milestone for head coach Kirin Kumar, as she secured her 200th career win.
Purdue Fort Wayne jumped out to an early 4-0 lead in the first inning, but the Buckeyes quickly responded with an offensive explosion. Four home runs in the bottom half of the inning—including a two-run shot from Sami Bewick, solo blasts from Kami Kortokrax and Jasmyn Burns, and a three-run homer by Taylor Cruse—flipped the scoreboard, giving Ohio State a commanding 7-4 lead. Frye’s record-breaking two-run bomb in the second extended the advantage, and Hadley Parisien and Kortokrax each added solo homers in the third to push the lead to 11-4. Kennedy Kay took over in the circle, striking out eight and securing her seventh win of the season.
Just a day later, the Buckeyes continued their dominance in their final midweek home game, defeating Akron 13-6. Once again, Ohio State’s bats were on full display, with Jasmyn Burns leading the charge. Burns went 3-for-4 with six RBIs, launching two three-run home runs and narrowly missing a third, settling for a double in the sixth inning. Cruse added three RBIs, including a two-run single and a sacrifice fly.
The Buckeyes wasted no time setting the tone against the Zips, as Burns crushed a three-run homer in the first inning to put Ohio State ahead early. The offense erupted again in the second, capitalizing on a fielding error and Burns’ second three-run shot of the game to take an 8-0 lead. Though Akron clawed back with a five-run third inning, the Buckeyes answered immediately. Cruse’s RBI single and Bewick’s double helped extend the lead to 11-5. Ohio State sealed the victory with back-to-back doubles from Burns and Reagan Milliken in the sixth, followed by another RBI double from Frye. Layna Gerhard (4-0) took over pitching duties in the third inning and delivered a stellar performance, throwing 4.1 scoreless innings while striking out five.
Burns continues to be a force at the plate, now leading the team with 14 home runs and a .474 batting average. Her six RBIs against Akron give her 45 on the season, while Frye, the reigning Big Ten Player of the Week, has homered in three consecutive games. Ohio State’s offensive dominance extends beyond home runs—the Buckeyes lead the nation in slugging percentage, doubles, and runs per game, scoring 10 or more runs in seven of the last eight contests.
Ohio State will look to continue its momentum this weekend in a crucial three-game Big Ten series against Indiana. The series opener is set for Saturday at 2 p.m., followed by games on Sunday at 1 p.m. and Monday night at 7 p.m., with the finale airing live on BTN.
