Eric Boggs
The Ohio State softball team kicked off the 2024 season and the Kirin Kumar era in dominant fashion, sweeping its opening weekend at the Elon Softball Classic with a perfect 4-0 record. Led by a combination of stellar freshman pitching and explosive offensive performances, the Buckeyes notched wins over North Carolina Central, UNC Greensboro, Elon, and UConn. Freshman Lorin Boutte made an immediate impact in her collegiate debut, throwing a no-hitter against North Carolina Central—the first by an Ohio State freshman since 2014. Boutte struck out 13 batters in five innings, allowing just one baserunner. Her performance set the tone for a weekend in which the Buckeye pitching staff dominated opponents, combining for 36 strikeouts and just four earned runs across 26.0 innings, 21.1 of which were thrown by freshmen.
Kasandra Gewecke and Layna Gerhard also made their Ohio State debuts in the circle. Gerhard started against Elon, striking out seven in 3.2 innings before Boutte closed out the final 3.1 innings with five strikeouts, securing the Buckeyes’ 4-3 comeback win. Against UConn, Gewecke pitched three scoreless innings before Boutte once again took over, allowing just one unearned run while striking out seven in the 3-1 victory.
Sophomore Jasmyn Burns was the offensive catalyst, finishing the weekend with a blistering .714 batting average (10-for-14), two home runs, and seven RBIs. Burns hit a pivotal two-run homer in the first inning against UConn, which proved to be the game-winner. She also powered the Buckeyes past North Carolina Central with a three-run blast in the first inning of their season opener. Kami Kortokrax and Morgan Frye provided key contributions, with Kortokrax batting .571 with a .647 on-base percentage and Frye hitting .429 with a .714 on-base percentage. Sami Bewick and Reagan Milliken delivered clutch hits, including Kortokrax’s RBI single against Elon, which gave Ohio State a crucial lead. Kortokrax finished the weekend 3-for-4 with two runs scored in that game. Frye and Kaitlyn Farley delivered back-to-back doubles in the seventh inning against UNC Greensboro to fuel a five-run rally that secured a 10-6 win.
Boutte finished the weekend 3-0 with 25 strikeouts in 12.1 innings, allowing no earned runs. Ohio State’s freshman pitchers—Boutte, Gerhard, and Gewecke—combined for 36 strikeouts. Hadley Parisien and Sami Bewick made their Buckeye debuts after transferring from Miami University, while Cadyn Ruffer recorded her first career start behind the plate. The Buckeyes improved to 5-1 all-time against UConn, their first meeting in nine years.
Ohio State will head to Florida next weekend for the Shriners Children’s Clearwater Invitational, where they will face a challenging slate featuring No. 12 Florida State, No. 15 Missouri, No. 11 Alabama, Clemson, and UCF. All five games will be broadcast on the ESPN family of networks as the Buckeyes look to build on their hot start to the season.
