From:  BigTenNetwork.com –

IOWA CITY, Iowa — Even though Melanie Nichols struggled on Sunday, the No. 19 Ohio State Buckeyes found a way to pull through and defeat the Iowa Hawkeyes 6-5 in nine innings.

Nichols allowed five runs in 4 2/3 innings, but the bullpen allowed no runs and the offense on line pharmacy banged out 10 hits to pick up the slack and secure the win for the Buckeyes (33-12).

Even though Nichols was battered by the Hawkeyes (23-19), she still managed to survive in the end. Nichols got the win for Ohio State. She allowed five runs over 4 2/3 innings. The freshman pitcher struck out three, gave up no walks and surrendered eight hits.

After freshman Megan Coletta doubled the game was tied when Leah Ledford came to the plate against Amanda Zust with two outs and a runner on second. She doubled scoring Coletta from second, which gave the Buckeyes the lead for good.

Ledford helped the Buckeyes take the lead for good in the ninth inning.

Johnnie Dowling had a good game at the plate for the Hawkeyes. She went 1-for-4, scored one run and drove in one run. Dowling homered in the second inning.

Zust took the loss for Iowa. She went 6 2/3 innings, gave up five walks, struck out three, and allowed five runs.

Iowa is going through a rough part of the season. The Hawkeyes have now lost five games in a row. The Hawkeyes last won on April 18 against Western Illinois.

Iowa’s next game is on Wednesday, May 5 against Illinois, with live streaming coverage starting at 6:00 PM ET on BigTenNetwork.com and Ohio State’s next game is on Saturday, May 8 against Penn State.

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