West Coast Showdown: Ohio State Softball Takes on Long Beach State and UCLA
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The excitement is building as the 21st-ranked Ohio State softball team prepares to embark on a thrilling three-game series on the West Coast. After a month of commanding play at home, the Buckeyes will be hitting the road for highly anticipated matchups against Long Beach State and the powerhouse UCLA Bruins this week.
Game Coverage: Don’t Miss the Action!
Mark your calendars, as you won’t want to miss a moment of the Buckeyes’ West Coast adventure.
Tune in online:
- Long Beach State: Wednesday, April 2, 7 p.m. ET | Watch on ESPN+ here
- UCLA:
For live updates: Check out the live stats available on the Ohio State Buckeyes schedule page.
Buckeye Breakdown: The Season So Far
Ohio State’s Powerhouse Performance
The Buckeyes stand tall with an impressive 29-7-1 overall record and a solid 6-2 in Big Ten play, recently clinching a series win over Indiana. During March, Ohio State showcased a fierce form, racking up 18 wins in 22 games and mounting an extraordinary 11 wins in their last 12 outings.
Offensive Prowess: Ohio State’s lineup is proving formidable, batting .360 as a team with a staggering 165 extra-base hits. Each player who started 20 or more games is hitting .320 or better, showcasing a well-balanced attack.
Home Run Royalty: Power hitter Jasmyn Burns leads the charge with 14 home runs, while her teammates Reagan Milliken and Hadley Parisien follow closely behind with 13 each. The depth of this lineup is evident, as five players have hit 10 or more homers this season.
Leading the League: Burns ranks fourth in batting average (.472) among her peers and boasts second-highest slugging percentage at 1.019. Meanwhile, Milliken reigns as the Big Ten leader in RBIs with 55, tantalizingly close to breaking the single-season record of 66 RBIs set by Stacey Roth in 2002.
- Young Talent on the Mound: Freshman pitchers Lorin Boutte (86.0 innings) and Kennedy Kay (62.0 innings) are leading Ohio State’s pitching brigade, signaling a bright future for the team.
Scouting the Competition: Long Beach State and UCLA
Long Beach State: What to Expect
The Long Beach State 49ers (18-12, 8-4 Big West) are coming off an impressive weekend sweep against UC Davis. Look for them to be competitive, with notable performances recently by Kate Barnett and Lina Apodaca, who earned accolades as Big West Pitcher and Freshman of the Week, respectively. Long Beach State’s pitching staff boasts a 2.55 ERA with a .239 batting average against, indicating a solid defense against formidable hitters.
UCLA: The Tough Competition
As one of the top teams in the nation, UCLA enters the matchup with a 32-5 overall record and an impressive 7-1 mark in Big Ten play. The Bruins are currently on a four-game winning streak and have demonstrated their offensive muscle, ranking right behind Ohio State with 293 runs scored this season. The competition promises to be fierce, and both teams are vying for supremacy in this high-stakes encounter.
Conclusion: A Weekend of Rivalry Awaits
As the Buckeyes gear up for battle against Long Beach State and UCLA, fans can expect fireworks on the diamond. This series is not just about winning games; it’s about proving their mettle against some of the best collegiate teams in the country. Don’t miss a moment of the action – your support could be the difference for the Buckeyes as they take on the West Coast!
For more updates on the team and schedule, keep an eye on Ohio State Buckeyes.
