June 21, 2007

Two area Buckeyes earn Big Ten honors

Two area players represented Ohio State as the Big Ten announced its all-conference softball team.

Sophomore right fielder Courtney Pruner (Akron Ellet) was named to the first team; junior second baseman Brittany Vanderink (Crestwood in Portage County) was selected for the second team.

Playing in all but two games and named OSU's most improved player, Pruner hit .336 The former Beacon Journal player of the year finished second on the team in home runs (seven), RBI (37, fifth-most in an OSU season), doubles (11, tied), runs (37, tied), on base percentage (.453) and slugging percentage (.569).

Her 14 career home runs are already tied for sixth on the Buckeyes' all-time list. She played right field for the last 39 games.

Vanderink started all 58 games and hit .333 in the No. 2 spot with one home run and 19 RBI. She led team in hits (64), at-bats (192), sacrifice bunts (14) and average with two outs (.333). Vanderink finished second on the team in stolen bases (16 for 17), multiple-hit games (17) and average with runners on base (.330).

Ohio State finished 40-18 and won its first Big Ten championship since 1990. It also won the conference tournament, beating sixth-ranked Northwestern 2-1 on national television to clinch the program's first automatic NCAA bid. OSU was eliminated in the regionals by Cal State-Fullerton.

-- Marla Ridenour