On his team's biggest day of the season, Ohio coach Joe Carbone reflected on a similar situation last season that ended very differently.
I kept thinking
'How great would that be to say you won three games in one day?' Carbone said, recalling Ohio's tripleheader last season against Ball State. The Cardinals came from behind to win in the first game, spoiling Ohio's chance for a sweep.
It is a big deal to win three games in one day he said. And it's even sweeter when it's against Miami.
This might be the best day I've ever had here, the 40-year veteran of the program added with a chuckle.
It's entirely possible.
The Bobcats completed (24-27 12-12 Mid-American Conference) a three-game sweep of their rival RedHawks (17-32
7-16 MAC) in about seven and 1/2 hours Saturday afternoon. The original doubleheader had a little extra flavor after Friday night's contest was suspended because of rain in the top of the eighth inning.
Ohio and Miami turned out three very different-looking games: the 6-5 pitcher's duel (by comparison to games two and three) of game one
the 16-11 slugfest in the second game and the late-game heroics of game three's 7-5 final. The Bobcats completed a sweep of a MAC opponent for the first time since late March
moved into third place in the MAC East and extended their winning streak to five games.
With all the superlatives
all Carbone could do was laugh.
This was a great day, he said with a grin. Our guys stayed focused, and they were on the ball. It's a credit to the players and the coaching staff. We get them ready, and they play.
On such an unusual day
it's not surprising that there were some unusual heroes
along with some of the more expected faces.
After the completely opposite games one and two
the Bobcats couldn't keep up at the start of game three. They fell behind early and stayed behind
trailing 5-1 in the bottom of the eighth ' until freshman Zach Keen
