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Saturday, March 26, 2011

Buckeyes Drop Big Ten Opener, Come Up Short against Hawkeyes 5-3

It was a frustrating home opener for Ohio State as they dropped their first 2011 game at Buckeye Field Saturday 5-3 to the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Iowa took an early lead in the top of the first inning when Hawkeyes catcher Liz Watkins delivered with a two-out rbi single that drove home Chelsea Carmody. Watkins would then hit another two out rbi single in the top of the third to increase the Iowa lead to 2-0 over the Buckeyes.

Ohio State would then battle back, scoring two runs of their own in the bottom of the fourth inning. After loading the bases with no outs, sophomore third baseman Meghan Coletta drove in a run on a fielder's choice to shortstop, scoring Brittany Goodchild from third. With two outs, Melaina Saalfeld delivered an rbi single that brought home pinch runner Alyson Mott to tie the game at 2. The Buckeyes tried to get the lead as Coletta tried to score while Saalfeld got caught in a run down between first and second, but Coletta was tagged out at home to end the inning.

Iowa would then come right back and retake the lead for good, scoring three runs in the top of the fifth via a Johnnie Dowling solo shot,a Watkins two-out rbi double, and a Michelle Zoeller two-out rbi single. Watkins ended up going 4-4 with 3 two-out rbi for Iowa.

After an Evelyn Carrillo solo shot in the 6th inning that drew the Buckeyes within two, Ohio State attempted one last rally in the bottom of the seventh. The Buckeyes loaded the bases with two outs with Coletta trying to come through for her club, but but it was not to be as she struck out to end the inning and wrap up the Hawkeye victory.

For the game, Iowa outhit Ohio State 8-7 with both teams leaving eight runners on base. The win went to Iowa right-hander Chelsea Lyon (9-8), who gave up three runs, all earned, on seven hits while walking five and striking out three. The loss was tagged to Buckeye right-hander Karisa Medrano (2-10) who gave up five runs, four earned, on eight hits while walking five and striking out five.

The Hawkeyes and Buckeyes will conclude this weekend's two game series at Buckeye Field Sunday afternoon at 2:00 pm.

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