Kortokrax’s Historic Homer Hat Trick Propels Ohio State to Decisive Victory Over Ohio
In a stunning display of offensive firepower, Ohio State’s senior shortstop, Kami Kortokrax, etched her name into the program’s record books by hitting three home runs in a single game, powering the Buckeyes to a decisive 15-5 victory over the Ohio Bobcats in a midweek matchup held in Athens, Ohio, on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. Kortokrax’s heroics not only secured a significant win for the Buckeyes but also underscored their remarkable offensive capabilities this season.
The game, which was ultimately shortened to five innings due to the run-rule, saw Ohio State’s bats explode for a total of four home runs and 15 runs, further solidifying their position as one of the most potent offensive teams in the Big Ten Conference. Kortokrax’s three round-trippers accounted for five of the Buckeyes’ RBIs, as she went a perfect 3-for-4 at the plate. This performance marked her as only the fourth player in Ohio State’s history to achieve the rare feat of hitting three home runs in a single contest, and remarkably, the second Buckeye to do so in less than nine days, following teammate Reagan Milliken’s three-homer game against Penn State the previous Sunday.
Milliken herself continued her torrid hitting streak, also going 3-for-4 on the day, including a home run and five RBIs. The offensive onslaught began early for the Buckeyes. After Ohio managed to score a run in the bottom of the first inning, Ohio State responded emphatically in the top of the second. Senior second baseman Kaitlyn Farley stepped up to the plate with a runner on base and blasted a two-run home run over the left-centerfield fence. This historic hit not only gave Ohio State the lead but also marked the program’s 119th home run of the season, breaking the Big Ten’s single-season record that had stood for a decade.
The Buckeyes continued to pour on the offense in the third inning, scoring six runs on five hits. Milliken drove in a run with a single, followed by Kortokrax’s first home run of the day, a two-run shot to left-center field, extending Ohio State’s lead to 5-1. The inning continued with RBIs from Hailey Lang and Taylor Cruse, pushing the score to 8-1 in favor of the visitors. Ohio managed to answer with two runs in the bottom of the third, but Ohio State’s bats remained relentless.
The top of the fourth inning saw a continuation of the home run barrage, with Milliken hitting her second home run in as many games, followed immediately by Kortokrax’s second of the contest. These back-to-back blasts extended Ohio State’s lead to 11-3. Kortokrax capped off her phenomenal day at the plate in the top of the fifth inning with her third home run, a two-run shot that mirrored her second in distance and location. This final homer brought her RBI total for the game to five and pushed the Buckeyes’ run total to 15. Ohio managed to score two more runs in the bottom of the fifth, but it was not enough to overcome the significant deficit, and the game concluded with a 15-5 victory for Ohio State.
Beyond the offensive fireworks, freshman pitcher Layna Gerhard earned the win in the circle for the Buckeyes, improving her season record to 7-0. She pitched three innings, allowing two hits and striking out one. Freshman Kassandra Gewecke also contributed, pitching two innings and retiring all six batters she faced.
Kortokrax’s three home runs were not only a personal triumph but also added to her impressive career statistics. Her third-inning home run was the 33rd of her career and marked her 200th career hit in her 206th consecutive game played. By the end of the game, she had increased her career home run total to 35, placing her just two shy of tying for eighth place in the program’s history.
This dominant midweek victory concluded Ohio State’s non-conference schedule, which they finished with an impressive 9-1 record, outscoring their opponents 97-28 in those ten games. The Buckeyes will now return home to Columbus to face Purdue in their final home series of the regular season, where seniors Kaitlyn Farley, Kami Kortokrax, and Morgan Frye will be celebrated.
The Ohio Bobcats, despite starting the game strong with an early run, could not contain the explosive offense of the Buckeyes. While they managed to put five runs on the board, it was not enough to match Ohio State’s relentless hitting. Ohio will now look to regroup as they prepare for a weekend series on the road against Central Michigan.
This game will be remembered for Kami Kortokrax’s historic three-home run performance, a feat that underscores her importance to the Ohio State softball program and the team’s exceptional offensive capabilities as they head into the final stretch of the regular season. The Buckeyes have now hit a remarkable 123 home runs on the season, a testament to their power and their determination to make a deep run in the postseason.
