Lexie Handley pitches Ohio State Buckeyes past Illinois in Big Ten softball quarterfinals
Lexie Handley pitched seven strong innings and Ohio State defeated third-seeded Illinois 5-1 on Thursday to advance to the semifinals of the Big Ten softball tournament in East Lansing, Michigan.
The Buckeyes, seeded No. 6, will face No. 2 Nebraska at 2 p.m. Friday. Nebraska defeated No. 7 Penn State 3-1 on Thursday.
Handley allowed six hits as OSU improved to 35-14. Melina Wilkison homered in the seventh to cap the Buckeyes' scoring.
The Buckeyes jumped to a 4-0 lead in the third inning. Kaitlyn Farley singled and moved to second when Jaycee Ruberti walked with two outs. Farley scored when Sam Hackenbracht reached on a throwing error.
After Niki Carver was intentionally walked, McKenzie Bump singled in Ruberti and Hackenbracht. Carver then scored to make it 4-0 when Kami Kortokrax reached on a fielding error.
The Illini had one run on three hits in the seventh.
#Buckeyes take a 1-0 lead on this two-out error. #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/GWOe1sp0z2
— Ohio State Softball (@OhioStateSB) May 12, 2022
Hustle play here by @bump7bump plates two for the #Buckeyes!
OSU 3, ILL 0 / Top 3rd / #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/5bxu4PLfBK— Ohio State Softball (@OhioStateSB) May 12, 2022
One batter later, a third Illini error leads to a fourth Buckeye run.
OSU 4, ILL 0 / Top 3rd / #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/kj3QnxDY02— Ohio State Softball (@OhioStateSB) May 12, 2022
SEE. YOU. LATER.@Melina_Wilkison gives us a 5-0 lead with this blast to left field.#GoBucks pic.twitter.com/oUCbPd9E3k
— Ohio State Softball (@OhioStateSB) May 12, 2022
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State softball: Lexie Handley's shutout stops Illinois