John Angelicchi probably wishes he could have one pitch back yesterday against Duquesne.
Deadlocked with the Dukes at two in the bottom of the fifth inning, the reliever, who had just entered the game for starter Kevin Mementowski, allowed a three-run home run, which proved to be the difference as Duquesne topped the Bobcats 5-4.
The winning run scored by the Dukes was the only one Angelicchi allowed during the four innings he pitched, but it was too much for the Ohio offense to overcome.
The team had a chance to tie the game in the ninth, but could not break through. Pinch hitter Adam Gecewich reached second base with one out before the potential comeback was halted, with Gecewich thrown out at third on a fielder's choice the following play.
Matt Stiffler led the Bobcats (12-11, 5-1 Mid-American Conference) with two hits and two runs scored, and he extended his hitting streak to 18 games.
But the senior outfielder was the only Bobcat to record a multi-hit game, as the Ohio offense was relatively kept in check, scoring two of the four runs off of Duquesne errors.
Mementowski notched his first start of the season for the Bobcats, pitching four innings and allowing four earned runs on seven hits in a losing effort. The senior pitched into the fifth inning before he was removed after allowing consecutive singles to the Dukes (11-10, 6-0 Atlantic 10).
Following his one-pitch mistake, Angelicchi's outing was solid, with the reliever giving up just three more hits throughout the rest of the game. The senior also had three strikeouts and only one walk.
Duquesne got the scoring started in the first inning after Anthony Manley scored on a Brandon Carroll single to give the Dukes the early lead.
Ohio responded the following inning with right fielder Gauntlett Eldemire tying the game after second baseman Zach Keen had reached base on a Duquesne error.
The game remained deadlocked at one until the fourth inning, when the Dukes scored their second run, following three consecutive singles off Mementowski.
Stiffler scored the second Bobcat unearned run of the game in the fifth inning, reaching home on an error to lead off the inning. He was driven in by designated hitter Robert Maddox III, who notched his team-leading 19th RBI of the season on a single.
Stiffler also was responsible for kick-starting the team's scoring in the seventh inning, prompting a two-out rally with a single.
He then stole second and was driven in by shortstop Zach Hartle, who scored the second run of the inning on a Marc Krauss double.
The Bobcats are back in action today at home against Cleveland State, with the first pitch set at 6 p.m.
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Steve Gartner
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