It was an up-and-down day for the Ohio baseball team in its series finale against Eastern Michigan.
Pitcher Anthony Gressick made his first start in almost a month, but the Bobcats fell to the Eagles and lost their third conference series of the season.
Two weeks ago, the right-hander learned that he would not be able to pitch for the rest of the season after suffering an injury against Michigan State in March.
Ohio coach Joe Carbone said they found out earlier this week that Gressick's injury was not as serious as originally thought.
It was a big boost for us to have him back on the mound
Carbone said.
Ohio (12-16, 5-7 Mid-American Conference) got off to a rocky start as Eastern Michigan took an early 4-0 lead before the Bobcats cut the Eastern Michigan lead to 7-4. The Bobcats tied it up in the eighth, but Ohio reliever Kurt Smith (0-3) gave up two runs in the bottom of the ninth as Ohio fell, 9-7.
The weekend started with Friday's game being rained out, which forced a doubleheader to be played on Saturday. In game one, Ohio starter Derek Witt (4-2) pitched eight innings, allowing four runs on eight hits and striking out nine.
The Ohio offense put up a run in each of the first three innings, giving the Bobcats an early lead.
It definitely gave me confidence Witt said of the early lead. The guys played well behind me.
The Eagles then cut Ohio's lead to 3-2, but the Bobcat offense responded with two runs in the seventh to take a 5-2 advantage. Ohio relievers Adam Goodpasture and Chris Rigo stopped the Eastern Michigan comeback in the ninth to preserve the win.
In the second game, Ohio starter John Angelicchi kept the Eastern Michigan bats quiet through the first four innings, but gave up five runs in the fourth and fifth innings. The Bobcats got one run back in the fifth and Ohio reliever Yale Silverman kept the 'Cats in the game, allowing only one run in the next 2 2/3 innings.
As a long reliever there he came out and did the job and gave us a chance to win the game at the end by just keeping at bay
Carbone said. He did a good job.
The Bobcats scored two runs in the eighth, but were unable to come back and lost 6-4.
Willie Walker continued his hot hitting this weekend, going a combined 5-for-12 (.416).
Ohio returns to action Tuesday against Pittsburgh. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. at Bob Wren Stadium.
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Julie Goldberg
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Ohio reliever Dan Weiss failed to record an out in his appearance during yesterday's 9-7 loss against Eastern Michigan. Ohio will play against Pittsburgh Tuesday.
