By: AP via MiamiHerald.com — TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Ohio State, which won the Big Ten championship by leaning on its bullpen, staved off NCAA Regional elimination behind the relief work of Drew Rucinski and closer Jake Hale.

Rucinski and Hale combined for 3 2/3 no-hit innings as the Buckeyes (41-18) eliminated Marist 6-4 on Saturday. Rucinski (11-2) picked up the victory and Hale earned his 17th save of the season as Ohio State improved to 35-1 on the season when leading after seven innings.

“Jake is one of the best relief pitchers we’ve had at Ohio State and maybe in the country this year with what we’ve asked him to do,” Buckeyes coach Bob Todd said. “The unsung hero in this is Drew Rucinski, who through the course of the year, has thrown a lot of innings.”

Rucinski struck out two, coaxed a pair of groundouts buy prescription drugs without a prescription and issued a leadoff walk in the eighth before Hale came on and turned a Ryan Gauck come-backer into a double play.

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