Coach Joe Carbone said he has never been one to coddle his players.
Even now, as the Bobcats are in the midst of a six game losing streak and a 1-8 start to the season, he isn't questioning his team's drive.
If our guys have to be schmoozed and pushed about doing well and keeping their heads up they aren't competitors
Carbone said. They aren't like that.
Coming off a winless trip to Furman this past weekend, Ohio will travel to Chillicothe to face West Virginia State this afternoon.
The Division II Yellow Jackets are riding high following a four-game sweep of Salem International.
Carbone, in his 21st year of coaching, admits to following a low-key approach regarding his team's morale.
You know I'm not one of those psychologist guys (about morale) Carbone said. If you play well and win
then morale is good. If you don't play well
and you don't win
then morale is not good.
The Bobcat coaching staff knows its squad is more than capable of competing at a higher level, Carbone said, but the lack of victories is still frustrating for everyone involved.
He cited a poor display in the fundamental aspects of the game as the main cause for the team's start.
Ohio has committed 26 errors, a number more than double that of their opponents. Their .925 fielding percentage ranks them last in the Mid-American Conference.
The Bobcat pitching staff has a 7.91 team ERA and opponents are batting .356 against the group.
Freshman Ryan Bores, the only pitcher to start contests in all three of Ohio's series thus far, has been particularly beat up. Through eight innings of work, Bores has surrendered 18 runs (10 earned) on 17 hits. Opponents are batting .386 against him.
We're losing because we aren't doing things right
Carbone said.
This week will be the first time that the Bobcats will see significant playing time outside, a fact that should improve the squad's defensive numbers. The only time the team has been exposed to live defensive situations this year has been during games.
Carbone said that his squad was at a disadvantage because of geography and a lack of experience, but was quick to add those facts couldn't be blamed.
We aren't sitting around feeling sorry for ourselves
Carbone said. I'm not making this stuff up to use an excuse for our poor play
though. Most of it's inexcusable.
2
