Bad weather caused Ohio to wake up on the wrong side of the bed this year, and a busy schedule did not give time for a nap.
Cabin fever and southern inhospitality marked the early part of the 2010 campaign as the Bobcats began their season with a long stretch of indoor practices and distant road games.
We didn't get off to a good start
said coach Joe Carbone. Sickness and injuries were the big things earlier. We didn't have an opportunity to get outside.
The Bobcats (20-35, 13-14 Mid-American Conference) struggled through the first part of MAC play. After playing 14 of their first 17 games away from Bob Wren Stadium, Ohio could not find its groove. The Bobcats dropped two of three to Ball State at home before being swept at Central Michigan.
But entering the longest home stand of the season with a 3-22 record, the Bobcats shifted into gear. They outscored their opponents 70-18 in a stretch that included a sweep of Western Michigan.
As we got into the conference season I thought our guys came around and did a pretty good job Carbone said.
The change in pace resulted from a healthier lineup and defensive changes.
Outfielder Robert Maddox III moved from right field to left field, and fellow outfielder Adam Gecewich found a home in right. Zach Keen moved to second base as Bryan Barnes took his place at third. Finally, pitcher Seth Streich solidified the starting rotation after earning a spot as a starter.
We made some changes defensively and I think that helped
Carbone said.
But Ohio never caught fire as its performance varied from week to week. In the last six weekends of MAC play, the Bobcats won three and lost three series, all in different fashion.
Ohio won two of three on the road before returning home to be swept by Bowling Green. The Bobcats then traveled to Kent State and lost two of three, and then swept Buffalo during Alumni Weekend. They swept Akron at home, but were then swept by Miami on the road.
The season ended with a disappointing early exit from the MAC Tournament in Chillicothe. The Bobcats found some offensive success, scoring 19 runs in their last two games. They couldn't convert defensively, however, and allowed 26.
We just didn't perform in a couple innings that really hurt us
Carbone said.
Ohio now faces the task of integrating 12 new players as its four seniors hang up their cleats. Junior outfielders Maddox and Gauntlett Eldemire also might not return since they are prospects in the upcoming MLB Draft. Maddox led the team with 21 home runs and 78 RBIs, while Eldemire hit .398 at the plate and stole 16 bases.
We're just counting on them being gone and trying to recruit in the attitude that they're gone
Carbone said. Deep down
I think they'll both sign.
With up to four position players and two of the team's four best pitchers leaving, the Bobcats now begin the process all over - a process Carbone has become acquainted with after 22 years of head coaching.
You do the same thing every year
Carbone said. You just keep working at getting better and better. It's just a constant grind every year for coaches.
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31984,2010-06-01 22:46:00,Sports Column: ESPN continues to add more drama to LeBron's next move,ESPN is at it again. Yesterday
we cut into regularly-scheduled programming on the family of networks that is expanding like Kate Gosselin's womb to alert the nation of breaking news.,ESPN is at it again.
Yesterday
we cut into regularly-scheduled programming on the family of networks that is expanding like Kate Gosselin's womb to alert the nation of breaking news. And in typical flavor-of-the-month fashion
ESPN has latched onto its latest victim: LeBron James.
The impending free agent filmed an interview with veteran journalist Larry King yesterday and the two discussed a variety of topics
