Eric Boggs
Ohio State’s softball team delivered a historic performance over the weekend, capping off a dominant three-game sweep of Michigan State with a record-tying 24-2 victory on Sunday. Matching their single-game program record for runs scored, the Buckeyes left no doubt about their offensive prowess, launching five home runs and scoring multiple runs in four of five innings. The emphatic win pushed Ohio State to an impressive 25-6-1 record on the season, while Michigan State dropped to 9-15.
The Buckeyes’ 24-run output was equaled only once before, in a 2015 Big Ten Tournament victory over Indiana. Sunday’s home run barrage marked the third time this season Ohio State has belted five or more long balls in a single game. On the mound, freshman Lorin Boutte and Kennedy Kay combined for a no-hit effort over five innings, securing Ohio State’s seventh consecutive win.
The scoring outburst began immediately, with an eight-run first inning ignited by home runs from Jasmyn Burns, Kaitlyn Farley, and Hadley Parisien. Burns launched a three-run shot, Farley followed with a two-run blast, and Parisien added a solo homer. The Buckeyes kept their foot on the gas, plating three more runs in the second inning on an RBI double from Reagan Milliken and run-scoring singles by Morgan Frye and Taylor Cruse. Additional runs in the third and fourth innings—including a solo home run from Kami Kortokrax and a bases-clearing double from Skylar Limon—helped cement the historic victory.
Ohio State’s offensive dominance extended throughout the entire series, tallying 48 runs and 11 home runs over the three-game sweep. Several players turned in standout performances, including Kortokrax (3-for-4, four runs scored, one RBI), Frye (3-for-3, three RBI), and Milliken (2-for-2, two RBI). As a team, the Buckeyes hit .447 over the weekend, with a staggering .883 slugging percentage and 19 extra-base hits. Notably, Sami Bewick extended her on-base streak to 29 consecutive games, the second-longest streak by a Buckeye in the last 13 years.
The weekend began with a Friday doubleheader sweep, where Ohio State wasted no time setting the tone. The Buckeyes secured a 17-1 run-rule victory in the opener before rallying late in the nightcap to claim a 7-3 win. The first game saw an offensive explosion highlighted by a grand slam from Cruse, who recorded six RBI on the day. The Buckeyes posted an 11-run third inning, showcasing their deep lineup and ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities. In the second game, back-to-back-to-back home runs from Milliken, Farley, and Frye in the seventh inning put the game away, securing the series victory in emphatic fashion.
Morgan Frye’s exceptional week at the plate earned her Big Ten Player of the Week honors, as she hit .900 with six extra-base hits, seven RBI, and a 1.900 slugging percentage. She reached base in 12 of her 13 plate appearances, including a dominant series against Michigan State where she went 7-for-8 with two home runs and four RBI. Frye’s season numbers now include a .429 batting average, 20 RBI, and an .857 slugging percentage, ranking among the top hitters in the conference.
The Buckeyes now return to Columbus for a five-game homestand to close out March, beginning with midweek matchups against Purdue Fort Wayne and Akron before a crucial three-game Big Ten series against Indiana. With momentum firmly on their side, Ohio State looks poised to continue their red-hot play and solidify their position among the conference’s elite.
