It was a climactic loss, but a loss just the same.
Ohio fell behind early before tying the game three times, but Eastern Kentucky prevailed for an 11-10 walk-off win against the Bobcats yesterday.
The Colonels (22-19) used a six-run second inning to separate themselves from Ohio (14-30). The Bobcats charged back in the middle innings, but never led the contest.
Colonels' first baseman Anthony Ottrando got things started with a home run to right center. Ryan Faidley scored on Michael Garcia's RBI single before Richie Rodriguez hammered a first-pitch grand slam off Bobcats' starter Brock Trimbur.
They just hit him
said coach Joe Carbone. You don't always do what you want to do.
The Bobcats got on the board in the third inning. With Gauntlett Eldemire, Robert Maddox III and Bryan Barnes on base and two outs, Carbone decided to pinch-hit Seth Streich for designated hitter Kris McDonough. Streich singled to bring home Eldemire and Maddox, cutting the lead to 6-2.
They brought a right-handed pitcher in Carbone said, adding that Streich is the better hitter against righties.
Ohio climbed within a run in the fourth. With runners on the corners, Maddox hit his 13th home run of the season.
The Colonels got one back their next time up to the plate. Rodriguez reached on an error by Ohio shortstop Wesley O'Neill, stole second, advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on Richie Allen's single to right field.
The Bobcats first tied the game in the fifth inning. With the bases loaded, first baseman Jerod Yakubik singled up the middle to score Zach Keen and Tyler Backstrom.
But Eastern Kentucky reclaimed the lead in the seventh. Third baseman Jayson Langfels scored on left fielder Ryan Faidley's RBI single. Ottrando extended the lead to 9-7 when he crossed the plate on designated hitter Jacob Daniel's fielder's choice.
The Bobcats retied the game with some fireworks in the top of the eighth. Eldemire hit a solo shot to right center to cut the lead to one, and Maddox followed suit with his second long ball of the game to knot the score at nine runs apiece.
The Colonels took the lead for a third time in their next at bat. Keen tried to retire Matt Phipps at third but made a poor throw, allowing Phipps to score the go-ahead run.
Ohio was not finished, though. Yakubik singled to start a two-out rally in the ninth. Eldemire drew a full-count walk, and Maddox doubled to left center to bring home Yakubik and tie the game at 10.
Maddox really had a great game Carbone said. (Yakubik
Eldemire and Maddox) did a real good job.
The Colonels got the last laugh. They loaded the bases on a single, double and walk, and Allen brought home pinch runner Jeff Emerich with an RBI sacrifice fly to center to end the game.
Andrew Danko (0-2) yielded the winning run to take the loss for the Bobcats. Ryne Purcell (2-1) got the win for Eastern Kentucky.
We always play hard
Carbone said. It was a good college game. We just didn't quite get it done.
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Sports
Michael Stainbrook
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Ohio player Kris McDonough slides back into first base last Sunday at Bob Wren Stadium. Ohio lost 11-10 to Western Kentucky yesterday despite coming back. (Alex Goodlett | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
