University of Minnesota Athletics
Softball Travels to Ohio State
4/22/2010 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Weekend with the Best
The Gophers continue on in Big Ten play, meeting another ranked opponent in No. 19/24 Ohio State. The Gophers and Buckeyes square off on Apr. 24 and 25 in Columbus, Ohio at Buckeye Field. Ranked No. 19 by USA Today and the NFCA and No. 24 by ESPN and USA Softball, the Buckeyes host the Gophers at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday night, and then turn around for a 1:00 p.m. tilt Sunday afternoon. The 1:00 p.m. Sunday matinee will be available live on BigTenNetwork.com.
The Records
The Gophers enter the weekend with a 15-29 overall record on the season, and carry a 1-9 mark in Big Ten games to sit in a tie for 10th place in the league standings. The Buckeyes boast a 28-11 record overall having won seven straight, and 12 of their last 13. Ohio State has lost just once in Big Ten play, holding a 7-1 mark to sit at third in the league standings.
The Series
The Gophers own the all-time series with the Buckeyes, beating Ohio State 55 times against just 36 losses. With 91 meetings in the series, only Michigan taken the field with Minnesota more often. Over the last 10 meetings, however, Ohio State holds a strong edge with a 9-1 advantage, and since the year 2000, the Buckeyes led the Gophers 15-5. Minnesota's last win in the series came Apr. 27, 2008 as the two teams split, and their last sweep came in the 2003 season. Ohio State has won the last three in the series and 10 of the last 11.
Last Match-Up
Last season at Jane Sage Cowles Stadium the Buckeyes swept the Gophers in a doubleheader with a pair of 1-0 scores. Ranked No.17 in the country at the time of the game, Ohio State scored their lone run in the seventh for the game one win, and then scored a solo run in the second inning for the win in game two. Briana Hassett suffered each loss despite giving up just 11 combined hits. Malisa Barnes was the only Gopher to have a hit in each game.
Follow Along
Each game between the Gophers and Buckeyes can be followed this weekend. Live Stats can be found here. On Sunday, the game can be watched live on a BigTenNetwork.com live stream. The video stream is pay-per-view, and can be accessed on the Gopher Softball Schedule page.
Last Time Out
Last weekend Minnesota lost a pair of tough games at home to Indiana. The Gophers dropped a 1-0 decision on Apr. 17, in a game where they out-hit the Hoosiers. The following day, they fell 8-3, when they couldn't overcome a seven-run first inning from Indiana. Earlier in the week, the Gophers dropped both ends of a doubleheader to Northwestern, 1-10 and 3-9 respectively.
Next Up
Following the series with Ohio State, Minnesota return's home for six straight games, starting with Purdue next weekend. On May 1 and 2, the Gophers host the Boilermakers at 1:00 p.m. each day.
Scouting Ohio State
Own a 28-11 record on the season with a 7-1 record in the Big Ten ... winners of seven straight ... been ranked all season, as high as No. 14 ... own a 5-5 record against ranked competition ... went 47-11 in 2009 and placed second in the Big Ten at 16-4 ... won the NCAA Regional and advanced to the Super Regional, falling in two games to Georgia ... have appeared in three NCAA Tournaments in the last four years ... four players batting over .400 in Big Ten play, led by Brittany Goodchild at .474 ... in the Big Ten Melanie Nichols is 4-1 with a 1.37 ERA and 29 K's in 30.2 in.
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