Brandon Besl's wrist is beginning to feel better ' and it's starting to show.
The third baseman, who missed six games earlier this season with a sore wrist, showed no aftereffects of the injury that plagued him for much of March. Last night, he totaled a Bobcat season-high five hits and four RBIs as the Bobcats blasted Pittsburgh 17-9.
It's feeling better
and we're still working on it Besl said. It's kind of easy when they're going to pitch around (Marc) Krauss and being behind him gives me more at-bats to try to make something happen.
The junior, who has improved since a breakout season a year ago, boosted his average by 30 points to a team-best .398 and added his fourth home run of the season on a three-run blast to left field that pushed his team's lead to 16-6.
He's been swinging the bat well
and he gives us some power
said coach Joe Carbone. He's still not 100 percent with his wrist and 100 percent with his leg. He plays hard.
The Cincinnati native also showcased his improved defense at the hot corner, totaling four assists with a couple of solid plays on the left side of the diamond.
(Last) weekend I was struggling a little bit
and I had a couple go through
Besl said. But that's part of the game and being able to come out and do it.
Besl was not the only Ohio player with an impressive game. When at the plate, the Bobcats made their half of the inning look like batting practice, totaling 21 hits in the game.
In fact, every Bobcat except right fielder Krauss, who had his 15-game hitting-streak snapped, notched a hit against the Pittsburgh pitchers.
Chris Klimko ' who, like Besl, is one of many Bobcats hitters in the midst of a career year ' added three hits while notching two RBIs.
The catcher said the difference has been that the Ohio hitters, who have averaged 14 runs during their past eight games, are feeling more poised at the plate.
Everybody at the plate wants to be up there and hit every pitcher
he said. We want to put up runs because the pitchers helped us early
and now it's our turn to take the load.
Following an early 2-0 deficit, the Bobcats responded in the second with an offensive onslaught, batting around the order and tallying eight runs in the inning.
From there, the attack continued with the Ohio lead becoming as great as 10 following Besl's long range bomb in the sixth.
Zach Fairbanks started for Ohio, but did not last long, pitching just two and two-thirds innings and allowing three runs on six hits.
Carbone then turned to the Smiths in Kurt and Matt, who had struggles of their own against the Panthers' hitters and gave up a combined six runs.
Fortunately for the Bobcats, a double-digit lead proved too much for the relievers to blow this time around, with John Angelicchi pitching a scoreless final two and one-third innings of work. -
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