Ohio State Downs Florida A&M 7-1

Melanie Nichols claims first complete game in win vs. Lady Rattlers

CLERMONT, Fla.  – On a frigid Florida morning, the Ohio State softball team defeated Florida A&M, 7-1, Sunday at the 2012 Dot Richardson NTC Tournament in Clermont, Fla. The Buckeyes concluded their first tournament on a winning note and finish with a 2-3 record through the first weekend of 2012.

Sophomore tri-captain Melanie Nichols was in the zone throughout the game in the circle, sitting down eight-consecutive FAMU batters to begin the game. With the victory, Nichols improves to 2-1 overall on the season after posting six innings of work, allowing three hits and one earned run with five strikeouts.

 

After the first two innings went scoreless, the Buckeyes collected a five-run second inning on five hits and one error by the FAMU defense. All five runs, including three unearned, were scored with two outs vs. the Lady Rattlers

 

Melaina Saalfeld score the team’s first run on an RBI single by freshman Taylor Watkins. Senior Katie Simonton then scored on a first and third situation when the FAMU shortstop could not collect the cutoff down to second, allowing Simonton to cross the plate.

 

Senior Vanessa Spears followed with an RBI single through the right side, plating Watkins, who advanced to third on a wild pitch. The Buckeye momentum continued when senior tri-captain Alicia Herron rocketed a triple to left center field – her second of the weekend – to score Spears. The 5-0 lead was then secured on a second wild pitch by Whitney Robinson, allowing Herron to score.

 

Ohio Sate made it 6-0 in the bottom of the fifth inning when pinch runner Alyson Mott scored on a wild pitch. The Buckeyes then extended its lead to 7-0 in the following inning after freshman catcher Shelby Pickett collected a sacrifice fly to left field, scoring fellow classmate Caitlin Conrad.

 

The Lady Rattlers notched their lone run of the game in the top of the seventh when Tera Gainer slid underneath the tag of a play at the plate following a fielder’s choice.

 

The Buckeyes continue play next weekend at the Louisville Slugger Desert Classic hosted by UNLV Feb. 16-19 in Las Vegas, Nev.