Jaycee Ruberti powers Ohio State Buckeyes past Purdue in Big Ten softball tournament
Jaycee Ruberti went 3 for 4 with three RBIs and Ohio State used a five-run second inning to pull away from Purdue and win 8-0 in the first round of the Big Ten softball tournament Wednesday in East Lansing, Michigan.
The sixth-seeded Buckeyes (34-14) will face No. 3 seed Illinois in a quarterfinal at 1:30 p.m. Thursday.
Ruberti singled home Melina Wilkison for a 1-0 Ohio State lead in the first inning. In the second, Ruberti hit a two-run double before Sam Hackenbracht hit a three-run home run for a 6-0 lead.
In the sixth, Wilkison doubled in Lindsey Potter for a 7-0 lead. Potter was pinch-running for Kaitlyn Farley, who had tripled. McKenzie Bump's bases-loaded single scored Wilkison to end the game at 8-0.
OSU pitcher Lexie Handley allowed two hits and struck out nine.
How did the #Buckeyes take a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first? @melina_wilkison and Jaycee Ruberti are happy to show you.#GoBucks pic.twitter.com/fIz2tcbn60
— Ohio State Softball (@OhioStateSB) May 11, 2022
A bases loaded two-run double? Yes, please and thank you Jaycee Ruberti.#GoBucks pic.twitter.com/5Y3JYgjCCd
— Ohio State Softball (@OhioStateSB) May 11, 2022
The first home run of the #B1G Tournament comes off the bat of @Sam_hack24.#Buckeyes increase their lead to 6-0. Still bottom 2nd.#GoBucks pic.twitter.com/0tEQkBkkdX
— Ohio State Softball (@OhioStateSB) May 11, 2022
How @OhioStateSB is celebrating their 6-0 start in the second inning in the #B1GSoftball Tourney. 😂 pic.twitter.com/ELANrzQc1S
— Ohio State on BTN (@OhioStateOnBTN) May 11, 2022
Have a day, Jaycee Ruberti!
3-for-3 with a double, three RBI and a run scored.#GoBucks pic.twitter.com/63mUxpCCQ2— Ohio State Softball (@OhioStateSB) May 11, 2022
High fives all around for another inning strikeout by @LexieHandley.#GoBucks pic.twitter.com/AdBh6jjXiA
— Ohio State Softball (@OhioStateSB) May 11, 2022
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State softball: Buckeyes top Purdue in Big Ten tournament