Illinois vs Ohio State | Big Ten Softball - Game 1
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Righty ace Morgan Ray continued her impressive senior campaign, tossing a five-inning no-hitter on Friday as Ohio State (30-14, 13-5 B1G) run-ruled Illinois (27-20, 6-12 B1G) in a 9-0 win at Buckeye Field. The victory extends the Buckeyes’ win streak to six games while head coach Kelly Kovach Schoenly secures her 11th consecutive 30-win season.
RAY IN CONTROL
Ray picked up her sixth straight win and 15th of the season after a dominating performance in the circle. She faced the minimum 15 batters, recorded four strikeouts and did not allow a base runner until the fifth inning on a walk. The Frenchtown, Mt. native is the first Buckeye in 12 years to have multiple no-hitters in a season.
HOW THE RUNS WERE SCORED
- The scoring started in the bottom of the first for the Buckeyes. Bri Betschel reached on an error and Lilli Piper crushed a two-run homer over the middle.
- Two runs came across in the second with the bases loaded when Kallie Boren was hit by a pitch and Niki Carver drew a full-count walk, pushing the lead to 4-0.
- Illinois made a pitching change in the third after Betschel singled to right center. Two walks stacked the bags for Ashley Prange, who drove a two-RBI single to left center.
- Emily Clark sent a run across home plate on a RBI single in the fourth.
- Fighting against two outs, Carver roped a double to left field. Keeping the hits coming, Kaitlyn Coffman belted her ninth homer of the season on a two-run shot over right field to end the game in five.
BUCKEYE BITS
- Ohio State earned eight walks.
- The Buckeyes batted .417 and were 5-of-8 (.625) with two outs.
- Bri Betschel scored three runs, tying her career best, and had two hits.
- Lilli Piper walked a career-high three times while adding three runs, two RBI and one hit.
- Ashley Prange chipped in two hits and two RBI.
- The Buckeyes notched their eighth run-rule win and 11th shutout of the year.
UP NEXT
Game two between the Buckeyes and Fighting Illini is set for 2 p.m. Saturday.