The Ohio State Buckeyes, seeded sixth in the Big Ten Tournament, are set to open play on Tuesday, May 19, against the 11th‑seeded Washington Huskies. The matchup marks the first tournament game under head coach Jusin Haire, who took over the program this season.
Haire’s First Tournament Test
Haire inherits a program with a storied tournament pedigree. Ohio State has captured ten Big Ten titles and sits at a cumulative 65‑49 record in the event, the highest seed since 2016 being fourth.
Key Offensive Weapons
Harvey leads the lineup with a .758 slugging percentage and a 1.188 OPS, numbers that also top the conference. Kaczmar paces the team with 68 hits, 24 doubles and 48 runs scored, while Furcht’s 11 homers join Harvey and Kaczmar in the double‑digit club. Mason Eckelman is batting .308 with 56 hits and 46 RBIs, and Lee Ellis has contributed 16 stolen bases.
A Reliable Pitching Staff
On the mound, Gavin Kuzniewski tops the staff with 63 strikeouts in 75.1 innings, and Chris Domke has fanned 59 batters over 73.0 innings, including two complete games. Pierce Herrenbruck boasts a 4.05 ERA, and Ryan Zamora has recorded three saves. Domke’s 9.0‑inning complete game in the series finale highlighted the staff’s durability.
Looking Forward
A victory over Washington would propel Ohio State into a Wednesday showdown with the winner of the Michigan‑Rutgers game, keeping alive a tournament run that has defined the program for decades. The Buckeyes’ 77 home runs rank fifth in the Big Ten, and their 24 doubles lead the conference, underscoring a balanced attack that could carry them deep into the championship bracket.