Three Ohio State softball players make All-Big Ten

Three Ohio State women were named to the All-Big Ten for the 2021 season. Congrats to all of them, including a sportsmanship award.

Now that the Big Ten softball schedule is over, we’re getting into awards and recognition season. The Buckeyes may not have had the level of success they wanted during the 2021 campaign, but that doesn’t mean there weren’t some individuals that had a fantastic season. In fact, three players made the All-Big Ten squad.

Sophomore Mariah Rodriguez was named to the All-Big Ten First team, while fellow sophomore Sam Hackenbradt made the All-Big Ten Second team. Pitcher Allison Smith was also recognized on the All-Freshman Team.

And while it wasn’t technically on the All-Big Ten squad, senior Megan McMenemy was the Buckeyes’ Sportsmanship Award honoree. If you haven’t followed the women on the diamond this season, Ohio State provided a bio of each of the girls.

NEXT … Mariah Rodriguez

Ohio State softball ends season on high note by beating Michigan State

The Ohio State softball team beat Michigan State on senior day to take the weekend series and end the season on a high note.

The Ohio State softball team ended its 2021 campaign on a high note by beating Michigan State 5-0 on Sunday, resulting in a series-winning three out of the four-game set with the Spartans.

In this one, the difference was OSU’s ability to get key hits and bring runners home, while Michigan State stranded a few runners on base and was unable to keep pace. Credit has to be given to pitcher Allison Smith who had a knack for making the big pitch when it mattered to keep the Spartans off balance and off the board. She went all but one out and gave up just four hits. Payton Buresch finished the game off to seal the victory.

On offense, Ohio State got all of its scoring in two innings. Meggie Otte got the scoring going with a two-run single with the bases loaded in the second inning. Then, in the fifth inning, Niki Carver picked up an RBI single, followed by a bases-loaded hit by pitch to Taylor Pack. Otte then wrapped up the scoring with a sacrifice fly.

With the win, the Buckeyes finish the season with a 24-19. In a conference-only schedule, OSU beat every opponent on its schedule at least once, but didn’t do quite enough to get an invite to the NCAA Tournament.

At least the seniors were sent out the correct way. Now it’s time to build on the finish and look forward to next year.

Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes and opinion.