With two outs and the ninth hitter up, it looked as though the Ohio baseball team would survive the top half of the seventh inning without any damage. Four straight hits later, the Bobcats found themselves in a 4-1 hole, as James Madison knocked off Ohio, 5-2, Tuesday at Bob Wren Stadium.
Two doubles, a triple and one single off reliever Derek Witt with two men out in the seventh put the game out of reach for the Bobcats (2-6).
That's baseball
Ohio coach Joe Carbone said. He made a couple good pitches that guys hit. Just get one more out just get one more out just get one more out. You have to give James Madison credit. They got those four hits in a row with two outs.
Witt, who replaced starter Zeke Isaacs in the fifth, allowed just one hit before the Dukes' (12-3) offense exploded in the seventh.
When you're rolling
you want to get that last out
but it's just something that happens
Witt said. It's part of the game.
Ohio looked as if it might put a dent into the lead in the bottom half of the seventh, but nothing
materialized. With runners on the corners and two outs, left fielder Brian Buck grounded out to third on a close play. Carbone argued with first base umpire Chet Horton, but the call stood and Carbone was ejected.
Ohio collected eight hits on the afternoon, three off the bat of designated hitter Anthony Gressick. James Madison hurler Brian Leatherwood (4-0) went the distance, striking out two and walking none.
He pitched a great game
Carbone said. We have to give him credit; he went the whole way and threw his breaking ball for a strike
and we didn't do much with him.
Ohio's starter, Isaacs (0-1), was inserted into the lineup for a spot start to replace Rob Harmon, who was pulled after suffering from tightness in his back during the weekend series at UNC-Greensboro.
Isaacs found out he was getting his first collegiate start during lunch. He picked up the loss, despite not allowing a hit through four innings. He said the lack of preparation did not bother him.
As pitchers here
we're used to that
Isaacs said. We obviously got here. We were decent pitchers in high school
so I was prepared.
Ohio and James Madison meet in the finale of the two-game series today. First pitch is set for 3 p.m. at Bob Wren Stadium.
