Ohio State finishes 2–2 Grind City Classic by beating Memphis 8–2 at FedExPark Sunday

Weekend finale at FedExPark ends with Buckeyes pulling away after early Memphis lead

Ohio State closed the Grind City Classic on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, with an 8–2 win over Memphis at FedExPark Avron Fogelman Field, the final game of the three-team event that also included Louisiana Tech. The result left Ohio State with a 2–2 weekend record and Memphis at 2–5 through seven games.

Memphis struck first, scoring once in the first inning and once in the second to build a 2–0 advantage. Ohio State drew level in the third when Lee Ellis hit a two-run home run after a leadoff walk by Alex Bemis. The Buckeyes moved in front in the fourth, using a walk to Steven Cavaco and a two-out double by Maddix Simpson to take a 3–2 lead, then added another run in the inning on a Memphis error.

Ohio State extended the margin in the fifth on a solo home run by Noah Furcht, his first of the season. In the sixth, the Buckeyes created separation with two walks to open the inning, a sacrifice bunt that brought home Cavaco, and an RBI double from Ellis. A fielder’s choice RBI by Simpson in the seventh completed the scoring.

Pitching steadies after the second inning as Ohio State limits Memphis to three hits

Ohio State starter Pierce Herrenbruck earned the win, working six innings and allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits with three strikeouts. After Memphis scored twice in the first two innings, the Tigers were held scoreless the rest of the way. Ohio State’s staff finished with seven scoreless innings overall, and reliever Andrew Edrington struck out three in the ninth to close the game.

• Lee Ellis: 2 hits, 3 RBIs, including a two-run homer in the third
• Maddix Simpson: 2 RBIs, including the go-ahead double in the fourth
• Miles Vandenheuvel: 2 RBIs, including a sacrifice bunt that scored a run in the sixth

How the result fits into the tournament picture

The Grind City Classic schedule featured five games among Memphis, Ohio State and Louisiana Tech from Feb. 20–22. Ohio State went 2–2, with both victories coming against Memphis, while Louisiana Tech finished its weekend undefeated in three games, including a win over Memphis and two wins over Ohio State.

Ohio State’s two-run swing in the third inning erased Memphis’ early advantage and set the stage for runs in five consecutive innings.

Ohio State’s next scheduled competition is the BRUCE BOLT College Classic in Houston, where the Buckeyes are set to face UTSA, Ole Miss and Texas from Feb. 27 through March 1 at Daikin Park.