On Friday, the Ohio State softball team (32-9-1, 7-4) began a three-game series with the Penn State Nittany Lions (19-19, 5-6) in State College, Penn. The Buckeyes hit two home runs en route to a 9-5 win and now have 99 long balls on the season to lead the nation.

It was Morgan Frye and Taylor Cruse who went deep for OSU Friday. Ohio State also connected on four doubles in the game, one each from Cruse, Kami Kortakrax, Kaitlyn Farley, and Skylar Limon. Reagan Milliken added a sacrifice fly.

The Buckeyes had an 8-0 lead after three and a half innings of play. Penn State scored two runs in the bottom of the fourth. After Ohio State added a run in the top of the seventh, Penn State mounted a comeback with three in the bottom of the inning.

Buckeye starter Lorin Boutte (14-7) worked into the seventh and picked up the win. Kennedy Kay came out of the bullpen and retired both batters she faced, on a strikeout and a pop up, to close the door on the rally.

The teams will be back at it Saturday at Beard Field beginning at 2:00 p.m. The series will wrap up Sunday at noon.