(Photo Courtesy of Ohio State Athletics)
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio State softball team (1-4) dropped a 3-1 decision to Florida Atlantic (3-2) on the final day of the FAU Kick-Off Classic in Boca Raton, Fla. After giving up three runs on two hits in the first inning, the Buckeyes limited FAU to no runs and just one hit for the rest of the game.
FAU scored its three runs thanks to two singles, two passed balls and one Buckeye error. After that, starting pitcher Olivia O’Reilly settled in, retiring Florida Atlantic in order over the next three innings. O’Reilly went five innings, giving up just three hits while striking out two. Senior Melanie Nichols relieved her in the sixth inning and did not allow a hit.
Ohio State got onto the scoreboard in the top of the six as Caitlin Conrad hit a solo home run to left field. Erika Leonard followed with a single to center field, but the threat ended with a groundout, foul out and fly out to right field. Conrad went 7-for-14 (.500) over the weekend with two home runs, five RBI, three doubles and one triple. Leonard finished 2-for-4 on the day and 6-of-14 over the weekend (.429).
The other Buckeye to record a hit on Sunday was junior Taylor Watkins, who was 2-for-4 with two singles.
Ohio State is back in action next weekend when it travels to Las Vegas, Nev. for the Easton Desert Classic. The Buckeyes open play when they face Cal State Northridge on Friday, Feb. 14 at 4:30 p.m. EST.
