Two early Rio Grande runs did not get the Ohio baseball team down as they came from behind to win 13-5 last night at Bob Wren Stadium.
The Bobcats (22-19-1 overall, 8-8-1 Mid-American Conference) fell behind early after Rio Grande got on the board first with a run in each of the first two innings off Ohio starter Dan Weiss.
Willie Walker, who was 2-for-3 on the night with two runs batted in, said the entire team came out and played hard in their fourth game in as many days.
We came out a little tired which showed from the start and then kind of kicked it in gear in about the second or third inning
Walker said.
The Bobcats took advantage of a Rio Grande miscue in the third inning to take the lead, scoring five runs. After Walker led off the inning with a walk and Bryan Buck doubled, Rio Grande pitcher Solomon Alam walked Brian Colopy to load the bases and Anthony Gressick drew a walk, which scored Walker.
Ben Crabtree drove in Ohio's third run on a sacrifice fly to left field and Phil Sabatini tripled to center field, driving in two more runs and then scored on a throwing error by the Redmen shortstop.
The Bobcats continued scoring in the following inning, piling on four more runs. Walker led off the inning with a single, advanced to second after Buck walked and went to third after Colopy lined out to right field. Walker then scored when Gressick hit a fly out to left field.
After stealing second, Buck scored on a double off the bat of Crabtree. Sabatini followed with a 2-run home run over the left field wall to extend Ohio's lead to 9-3.
Sabatini said he put his weekend hitting troubles behind him, and went 2-for-4 with four RBIs last night.
(I was) really just trying to relax Sabatini said. It's been up and down all year long but you try not get caught up because your team is doing so well
but try to stay relaxed
put the bat on the ball.
However Rio Grande fought back and scored another run in the top of the fifth, but to no avail.
Ohio extended its lead after Walker reached base for the third time in the game thanks to a double to right center field, which scored Dusty Hammond and Bryant Witt.
Walker would later score on a wild pitch making it 12-5. Ohio's final run came as Gressick singled, stole second and was driven home by a Crabtree single.
After a tough series with Ball State, Ohio coach Joe Carbone said the team bounced back against the Redmen.
We played hard
he said. This is a good team. They are well coached and they swing the bats well.
Ohio plays another non-conference contest against Pittsburgh tonight. First pitch is set for 7 p.m. at Falconi Field.
17
Archives
Julie Goldberg
200505103198midsize.jpg
