For the first five innings yesterday against West Virginia State, the Bobcats looked as if they would continue the sluggish hitting they showed against Central Michigan on Sunday.
Entering the sixth inning, Ohio and West Virginia State were tied at 1, but a six-run inning by the Bobcats helped them en route to a 12-4 win.
“We were able to get some guys on base and draw a few walks, and then when someone hits one into the gap, that breaks the game open,” coach Joe Carbone said.
After taking a 2-1 lead on a sacrifice fly, a Dan Ward bases-loaded double to center field scored three runs and pushed Ohio’s lead to 5-1. The Bobcats (15-13) added two more runs in the inning.
Ohio added five more in the seventh inning, highlighted by another bases-loaded double — this time off the bat of right fielder Adam Gecewich — and the Bobcats took a commanding 12-1 lead.
Along with nine hits, Ohio batters drew nine walks.
“I thought we showed good patience at the plate, but not as much as we would like,” Carbone said. “But we definitely showed improvement.”
As he has done all season in midweek games, Carbone allowed almost the entire roster to get in the game. For Ohio, 21 different players recorded playing time.
Freshman Shane Henkel made his first career start and allowed four hits, no earned runs and struck out four in five innings.
“For his first start, I thought he did a pretty good job. He threw hard, competed and went after people,” Carbone said.
Ward finished 2-for-5 with three runs scored and five RBIs.
Ethan Newton, Taylor Emody and Gecewich each recorded two hits for the Bobcats.
Ohio will take on Xavier (16-13) tonight at Bob Wren Stadium. After a streak of nine straight wins earlier this season, the Musketeers have lost four in a row.
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