Ohio catcher Ben Crabtree has done everything to dispel any possibility of a sophomore jinx. One year removed from a season that earned him Freshman All-America accolades, he has proven his offensive production of a year ago was no fluke.
Crabtree has hit .762 with three home runs and nine runs batted in during the last five games. He is currently second on the squad with a .380 batting average and is pacing the Bobcats with nine home runs.
The catcher said he has changed his approach at the plate at the insistence of coach Joe Carbone.
"I'm trying to be more patient, and try to look for balls inside that I can turn on," Crabtree said.
The Mid-American Conference has taken notice, naming the catcher its East Division Player of the Week for the second time in 2003 on Monday. Crabtree's honor marked the fifth time a Bobcat had been named MAC East Player of the Week. Ohio has also boasted Pitcher of the Week honors once.
Crabtree is the second two-time Ohio winner so far in 2003, along with third baseman Adam Fox.
Second baseman Tony Gandee earned the team's first distinction March 4. Gandee shared the spotlight that week with pitcher Chris Bova, who received Pitcher of the Week honors.
Bobcats using new weapon
They say speed kills. If this adage is true, the Ohio baseball team is on pace to run away from a slew of competitors in 2003.
The Bobcats have stolen 19 bases in 25 attempts. Carbone's squad stole 21 of 30 bases in all of 2002.
Carbone said the increase in attempts from last spring is the fruit of different personnel running the bases. He said speedier players are getting the opportunity to play, and thus the Bobcats are attempting to advance more often.
"If we have guys that are capable of stealing bases, we'll steal," he said.
Leading the way thus far in the stolen base department is outfielder Phil Sabatini, who is a perfect 8-for-8. Sabatini has never been caught stealing at Ohio; he went 4-for-4 as a freshman last season.
Sabatini said the Bobcats' offensive production has benefited from the team's success on the base paths.
"It definitely helps us to score runs, the more bases we steal," he said.
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T.J. Lasita
