Three times last weekend, Gauntlett Eldemire led off the bottom of the first inning with the Bobcats trailing No. 25 Kent State by at least two runs.
Friday, he slugged the first pitch out of the park.
On Saturday, he took starter Kyle Smith deep to right field for his second-straight leadoff homer. He didn't muscle the ball out of Bob Wren Stadium on Sunday, but still singled and came around to score - the mark of a leadoff hitter coming into his own.
Although Ohio dropped two of three to the Golden Flashes, Eldemire shined.
He finished the series 5-of-15 and scored five runs in the team's highest-scoring series of the year.
But the sophomore from Shaker Heights, Ohio, would have traded those jogs around the bases for three wins over the Mid-American Conference's best team.
I'm a team player
he said. I'd rather have three wins over (Kent State) than anything personal.
The Bobcats dropped a half-game behind Kent State in the MAC East Division after the weekend.
Eldemire has been a familiar face in Ohio's lineup for two seasons now, but he's thrown himself into the spotlight with his swing.
In 2008, the outfielder started 45 games as a freshman and batted in the latter half of the lineup. He batted. 264, but stole a team-high 10 bases.
Eldemire has stepped up since coach Joe Carbone put him at the top of the lineup.
His batting average is up to.333 in 32 starts and his on-base percentage is second on the team at.465. He's leading the team again with seven stolen bases thus far and has pelted out 11 home runs, up from his total of seven last year.
The key this season has been keeping his head level, Eldemire said.
Sometimes you get up there and you're too aggressive he said. Trying to do too much at the plate.
Watching the weather
Ohio hasn't played a midweek non-conference game in almost three weeks.
Both of its Tuesday and Wednesday matchups in the last two weeks were canceled because of rain and unseasonably cold temperatures.
The Bobcats have been forced to cancel 11 games this year, up from two in 2008.
Tomorrow's forecast in Cleveland calls for rain and thunderstorms with temperatures in the mid-60's.
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Sports
Dylan Scott
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Ohio University center fielder Gauntlett Eldemire dives for a line drive during the 9th inning of the Bobcats
