Another bullpen meltdown led to Ohio's 8-7 loss to Duquesne last night at Bob Wren Stadium.
On the strength of Zach Fairbanks' starting pitching performance, the Bobcats took a 6-2 lead into the sixth inning. Fairbanks finished with six innings of work, allowing two runs on eight hits. Joe Stover entered in the top of the seventh, and the game went downhill from there for Ohio.
The Dukes got three runs back in the seventh off Stover before claiming the lead in the eighth. Kevin Mementowski was on the mound for Ohio when Derek Fallecker hit a two-RBI double over Matt Stiffler's head in center field to give his team a 7-6 lead. Duquesne added another run before the inning ended.
Ohio coach Joe Carbone said the problems are taking their toll on the staff, but he was unsure whether the problems were purely physical or mental.
We're putting a strain on our bullpen
he said. We're not making pitches where we need to.
Ohio attempted a rally in the ninth, putting runners on the corners with two outs, but Zach Hartle flew out to left field to end the game.
The loss marked the third time in the last four games that Ohio was defeated by one run. Relief left-hander Adam Goodpasture, who recorded one inning of no-run baseball in the top of the ninth G we see it slip away he said. We can't figure out who's going to throw well that night.
Goodpasture's performance was a highlight for the Bobcats, marking a turnaround from his early-season struggles. He entered the game with a 7.71 ERA and a 3-2 record. Things have been improving since last weekend, Goodpasture said, when he regained some confidence.
It's all mental
he said. I've been more focused.
Carbone said he was also pleased with the way Fairbanks threw the ball last night.
We need him for the weekend
he said. He gave us a chance to win.
Jeremie Rehak continued to assert himself in the designated hitter role, going 3-for-4 with an RBI. He executed a suicide squeeze in the eighth inning G
Carbone said.
Although Ohio is 1-3 in its last four weekday, non-conference games, Carbone said he isn't worried about the effects the losses might have on the weekend conference series with Bowling Green.
You'd like to win them. We're looking to win
he said. But it doesn't make a difference towards the weekend.
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Dylan Scott
