A weekend series against 5-24 Buffalo seemed like a good chance for Ohio to claim three victories and remove itself from the cellar in the Mid-American Conference.
Rather than boosting their confidence with a series victory, inconsistencies plagued the Bobcats (14-23, 3-12 MAC) once again yesterday and Ohio fell 13-10 to the Bulls to lose the series.
Centerfielder Matt Stiffler said a series defeat to one of the weaker teams in the MAC is not something the Bobcats should feel good about.
Obviously we are not doing too good this year ourselves
but it's hard to get two taken from you especially like today he said.
The problems began Friday as the Bobcats fell behind 5-0 to the Bulls after six innings and never fully recovered in a 7-4 defeat.
Ohio did not generate any offense until the eighth when catcher Chris Klimko knocked in two runs on an RBI single. The Bulls added two runs in the ninth to secure their 7-4 victory.
After a quiet offensive Friday, the Bobcats' bats exploded for 14 runs and 15 hits Saturday to defeat Buffalo 14-9. Ohio built an early 6-0 lead, but the margin was erased by the Bobcats' bullpen as the Bulls tied the game 9-9 in the eighth.
Ohio answered in its frame, adding five runs in the inning to take the victory. Second baseman Bryant Witt knocked in two runs in the inning and led the Bobcats with two hits.
Witt, who has had difficulty at the plate this season after hitting .349 last year, said he was encouraged by his performance Saturday.
It was just nice to finally have a good night because I have been struggling all year
he said.
Reliever Andrew Shisila recorded the win for the Bobcats and ended the Bulls' eighth-inning rally, pitching the final one and two-third innings.
Shisila said avoiding any further damage in that inning was critical.
It was good to get out of that eighth inning because they had a chance to take the lead
Shisila said. The ninth inning I was more relaxed and there was not a lot of pressure.
The Bobcats' instability on the mound hit its critical point yesterday as the team used a total of eight pitchers throughout the game. Coach Joe Carbone removed starter Zeke Isaacs after only one and a third innings in what he called a tough day for his pitchers.
It's like pulling rabbits out of a hat
and seeing what rabbit will go for you
he said.
Following an 11-1 deficit, the Bobcats added nine runs in the seventh, but a late-inning rally once again proved futile. Stiffler started the inning off with his first home run of the season and led the team with three hits. Stiffler also extended his MAC lead in walks, notching his 34th walk of the season. The Ohio record for walks in a season is held by Matt Engleka at 46 ' Stiffler is on pace for 51 this season.
Carbone, who said he was displeased with the umpire's strike zone, was ejected after Ohio pitcher Matt Schlarb was called for a balk in the ninth.
If you notice there were a lot of walks
Carbone said. I'm not going to comment on the zone
but the Buffalo coach was not happy with the zone and neither was I.
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