“You know what the best thing about a freshman is? Next year he is a sophomore.”
Ohio coach Joe Carbone used that line to describe his impressive freshman class and the success the group might have in the future.
This season, the group of Tyler Wells, Cody Gaertner, Logan Cozart and Jake Madsen has combined to make 97 starts. The group is responsible for 136 hits, five home runs and 63 RBIs.
“Some freshmen will come in and make adjustments that they need to make to be successful,” Carbone said. “I think the majority of ours have.”
Carbone said the freshmen have made adjustments in the field and at the plate and added that they will help the group in their Ohio baseball careers.
“We are really fortunate that these guys have not fallen on their faces, that they’ve come up and done a real good job for us,” Carbone said. “I think those guys are going to be outstanding players in years to come at Ohio University.”
Most of the freshmen did not expect to inherit the roles they have filled this season early on.
“I didn’t have too high of an expectation coming in because I didn’t really want to get my hopes up,” Madsen said. “I’m just really glad that I can be part of the team and help get wins.”
Wells said that, once conference play got under way, he was able to settle into his place on the squad.
“It’s been nice once conference play started to get on a roll,” Wells said. “To be starting in left field, hitting second and just trying to fill my role as two-hole hitter and trying to get Newt (Ethan Newton) over when he gets on base and get runs early in the game.”
Freshman second baseman Ian Mezlak was the exception to his classmates.
He said he was confident he could come and start right away.
With the younger players contributing immediately, others are feeding off the level of play.
“The underclassmen are definitely stepping up,” senior starting pitcher Brent Choban said. “They’re doing a betting job. Everyone else is getting better every day. It’s a good look for us.”
Ohio will face Youngstown State in a Tuesday matinee. In the matchup of the two teams, Ohio holds a dominant advantage, leading the series 21-9.
Last year, the Bobcats beat the Penguins 5-4 in 13 innings.
nr225008@ohiou.edu
