Softball: Ohio State comes home against red-hot Michigan

Weiyu Tong
Fri, 12 Apr 2019 03:35:30 +0000
News, Softball, Sports, Alex Vargas, Amy Balich, Andi Farrah, Ashley Goodwin, Bailee Sturgeon, Becca Gavin, Bri Herschel, Buckeyes, Carley Gaskill, Claire Nicholson, Emily Clark, Kallie Boren, Katya Duvall, Kelly Kovach Schoenly, lilli piper, Maddie Marotti, Megan Choinacky, Megan McMenemy, michigan, MJ James, Morgan Ray, Niki Carver, ohio state, Ohio state buckeyes softball, ohio state michigan score, Ohio State Michigan softball, Ohio State Michigan softball score, Ohio State softball, Ohio State softball roster [and 9 more]

Freshman infielder, Ashley Prange (29), prepares to catch the ball from the catcher as her Indiana opponent attempts to steal. The game was played on March 24, and Ohio State won 2-0. Credit: Gretchen Rudolph | For The Lantern

Playing against a team that is keeping their longest win streak of the season, the Ohio State softball team (23-11, 7-2 Big Ten) will take on No. 21 Michigan (27-10, 9-0 Big Ten) in a three-game set this weekend at Buckeye field.

The Wolverines have won 15 straight, including all nine games they’ve played during Big Ten play. They’ve batted .372 as a team, while holding opponents to a .192 average with a 1.37 combined ERA over the 15-game stretch.

“We expect Michigan to be an intense series like it always is,” junior outfielder Andi Farrah said. “The rivalry of Ohio State-Michigan is a big one, so we expect to have a very good series this weekend.”

Speaking of Michigan’s notable players, Ohio State head coach Kelly Kovach Schoenly said the Wolverines have a complete roster, playing well both offensively and defensively.

Freshman left fielder Lexie Blair is a notable newcomer for the Wolverines. She has recorded a .392 batting average with 47 hits and 32 RBI this season. Blair has a .523 average and 20 RBI over the win streak.

Senior utility player Faith Canfield also is having a good season, with a .378 batting average and 22 RBI.

Senior utility player Alex Sobczak is one of three players on the Wolverines with a batting average above .380 on the season, coming into the game with a .382 average and 25 RBI.

Michigan sophomore pitcher Meghan Beaubien is 16-3 in this season. In the 15-win streak, she has recorded a 0.74 ERA with 69 strikeouts and a .179 opposing batting average. Beaubien recorded 13 strikeouts in a seven-inning complete game against Western Michigan.

However, Schoenly highlighted Ohio State senior shortstop Lilli Piper and freshman infielder Ashley Prange and their recent success.

“Lilli has really seeing the ball well right now as well as Ashley Prange, and I anticipate they will impact the series,” Schoenly said.

Like every series, Ohio State is not focused on its opponent. The Buckeyes are focused on what they can control.

“For this weekend, we have to stay true to ourselves,” Farrah said. “As long as we focus on us as a team and our jobs, we can overcome any challenges that come up for the series.”

The series against Michigan opens at 6 p.m. Friday and continues with a 2 p.m. game Saturday, concluding with a 1 p.m. game Sunday.