There was no answer for Emily Ruck on Friday night.
After a 6-4 loss to Coastal Carolina in its opening game of the Beach Chicken Brawl, the Ohio State women's softball team responded in a big way later in the evening against Canisius. Conway, South Carolina turned into Ruck's stage, with the junior pitcher throwing the program's first perfect game in 16 years. The Buckeyes earned an 8-0 run-rule win over the Golden Griffins in five innings, in a game that also featured the first career home run for sophomore Kami Kortokrax.
— Ohio State Softball (@OhioStateSB) March 11, 2023
A five-inning perfect game by @emily_ruck_ gives the #Buckeyes an 8-0 win to finish Friday's doubleheader.#GoBucks pic.twitter.com/Zdicv3f8Jl
Ruck fanned 12 of the 15 Canisius batters she faced, setting a new career high in strikeouts. The Westerville native is no stranger to tossing gems; Ruck logged a no-hitter in 2022 against UMass, and now has an even more impressive outing under her belt.
Her perfect game was Ohio State’s first since 2007, when Jamee Juarez threw a perfect game against IUPUI.
With the victory, Ohio State improved to 7-7 on the season. The Beach Chicken Brawl continues on Saturday, when the Buckeyes will take on Houston Christian at 10 a.m. before a rematch with the Golden Griffins at 12:30 p.m.
