After Ohio let an early 3-0 lead slip away yesterday against Western Michigan, Matt Stiffler couldn't help but recall last season's struggles.
Although losing early leads typically proved to be an ominous sign for the 2007 Bobcats, that has not been the case thus far with Ohio, as the Bobcats picked up a 5-4 extra-inning victory to complete a three-game home sweep of the Broncos.
That happened a lot last year
Stiffler said of his team's tendency to lose early leads. But this year we're doing really well at staying poised and staying together as a team and coming through in clutch moments.
Catcher Chris Klimko came through for the Bobcats in just such a moment during the 10th inning, notching the game-winning RBI on a walk-off single down the left field line to ensure a perfect weekend.
As soon as I got up to the plate I knew they were going to try to jam me in to get a double play back to the pitcher Klimko said. I was thinking to get my hands through the ball quick and try to drive it down the line.
I did exactly what I was trying to do there.
Matt Smith (3-1) pitched three and 1/3 innings of hitless baseball for the Bobcats to pick up the win. The senior allowed only one Western Michigan base runner to reach base and finished with two strikeouts.
They called on me
so it's my job to go out there and to do the best I can
Smith said. You always want to make the coaches happy and I think I did that today.
After the Bobcats finished just 8-19 in conference play a year ago, Ohio (12-10, 5-1 Mid-American Conference) is off to its best start in MAC play since 1997. That season also was the last time the Bobcats won the MAC Championship.
Designated hitter Robert Maddox III led the team yesterday with three hits and an RBI, while Klimko and Marc Krauss each added two hits and drove in a run.
The Bobcats jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the fifth before starter Jason Moulton allowed three runs in the sixth to even the score. Ohio responded in its half of the inning with outfielder Jeremie Rehak putting the 'Cats ahead 4-3 with an RBI single.
Reliever John Angelicchi allowed another Bronco run in the seventh and was replaced by Smith, who forced the first Bronco hitter to ground out, escaping a jam with two men on base.-
Smith said. Coming from (junior college)
you're still playing college guys but the ballgame is different at every level. I've learned that I can't overpower people and I need to throw strikes.
The victory was coach Joe Carbone's 301st in MAC play, putting him in second place all-time in conference victories.
Ohio announced March 23rd that the two players who were involved in the alleged gambling ring have been reinstated after missing the first month of the season.
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