Morgan Ray

Classroom

Morgan Ray has been a member of the dean’s list every year and is a health science major with a Spanish minor on schedule to graduate in May. Ray is a three-time OSU Scholar-Athlete and a two-time Academic All-American. She has also been named an Academic All-Big Ten selection twice and is a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar. Ray is the recipient of the National Buckeye Scholarship, which is for non-Ohio residents who rank in the top 25 percent of their graduating class.

Character

According to Head Coach Kelly Kovach Schoenly, Ray has proven to be a person who does things the right way. She has helped to shape the culture of Ohio State’s softball program by being accountable, honest and a true leader. Ray grew up on a reservation in Frenchtown, Montana, a town with less than 5,000 people and no stoplights. She traveled over 2,000 miles from home to attend Ohio State. Instead of focusing on the distance, she has immersed herself in the Ohio State and Columbus communities with her willingness to give back to others. Ray is a member of Ohio State’s Wolstein Leadership Academy, which gives student-athletes the opportunity to learn how to lead and develop a leadership style. She is also a part of the softball team’s leadership council.

Community

Ray completed an internship over the summer as a patient experience intern at the Wexner Medical Center’s intensive care unit. She communicated with families and patients about their experience in the hospital. Ray used her Spanish minor to step in when a family had not had communication in their language. Ray’s passion to give back began as a child when she helped at Mountain Home Montana, her mother’s non-profit for teen moms. In Montana, she volunteers at Hellroaring Kennels with the ThisAble Veteran program, which trains dogs as service animals for veterans. She also volunteers at the Mission Valley Animal Shelter with its spay and neuter clinic and post-operative care unit. Ray has also taken part in Polson Share the Spirit, a drive that donates toys, clothes and other holiday gifts for families in need.

While in Columbus, Ray volunteers with multiple programs through the softball team but also on her own. She is a peer educator, helping to create wellness-oriented events for students across campus, such as mental health summits, finals week stress relief and sexual violence awareness events. Ray volunteers with the 2nd and 7 Foundation, reading to second graders to promote reading and learning. She is currently working to get the program implemented in Montana and Indiana. Ray has also been active with the Buckeye Blanket Bash, making personalized blankets and notes for patients at the James Cancer Hospital.

Competition

Ray has started 42 of the 90 career games in which she has pitched. She has a 2.84 ERA in 283.1 innings of work with 241 strikeouts through three years of competition. Her 241 strikeouts currently ranks 11th among Ohio State’s career leaders. Last year, she was a second-team NFCA All-Midwest Region selection and ranked third in the Big Ten with a .197 opposing batting average. She led the pitching staff with 18 wins, 145 strikeouts and 13 complete games. During her sophomore campaign, Ray topped the team with a .217 batting average against and was second with a 2.35 ERA. For the past three years, Ray has helped the Buckeyes make NCAA Tournament at-large appearances.

*All stats as of nomination time.