Trailing 4-2 in the bottom of the fourth •Sunday, Ohio put together a four-run rally, scoring two runs on an error by Massachusetts pitcher Andrew Grant and another two on doubles by shortstop Dan Schmidt and centerfielder Tyler Wells.
The 6-4 lead Ohio (1-7) held until the top of the fifth was the only lead the Bobcats had all weekend as they lost all three games at the Irish Classic in Cary, NC.
Friday, the Bobcats faced off with No. 25 Virginia Tech in their first game against a ranked opponent this season. The Hokies built a two-run lead in the bottom of the first, but Ohio answered in the top of the second with RBI walks from Schmidt and left fielder Nick Squires.
But that was all the damage Ohio could muster, as Virginia Tech scored five runs in the next two innings en route to an 8-2 defeat.
Saturday’s game wasn’t any kinder to the Bobcat offense, as Rhode Island starting pitcher Mike Bradstreet struck out 10 while allowing only two hits and no runs in a 3-0 victory for the •Rams.
The offense turned around for the Bobcats against UMass on Sunday, with Ohio amassing ten hits after recording only six in the previous two games. But the influx in offense wasn’t enough, as Ohio lost 7-6.
“I think as we continue to move forward, we learn more and more about our club,” coach Rob Smith said. “… Offensively, I thought Sunday was a really good day for us. We had several guys who had multi-hit days and do some positive things at the plate.”
Designated hitter Taylor Emody, Wells and Squires each recorded two hits, while Schmidt went three-for-four on the day.
A problem that plagued the Bobcats throughout the three games was their propensity to give the opponents leads early in the game. Ohio was outscored 12-4 in the first three innings.
“Any time you can avoid falling behind in a game, it just allows you to do more things offensively and continue to put pressure on the opposing pitching and defense,” Smith said. “Getting off to better starts is definitely something we have to address.”
Schmidt is confident that the offense will be able to take advantage if put in the right situation.
“If we can execute on the pitching and defense and hold them in the beginning, then I think our offense will get going and score some runs,” Schmidt said.
And despite allowing 18 runs, Smith was encouraged by some of the performances he saw from a pitching staff that he said lacks depth.
The bullpen was part of what encouraged Smith, as the group pitched nine inning in the course of the three games, allowing only one unearned run.
“We’re starting to get a better idea of what we can do from a pitching standpoint,” Smith said.
ch203310@ohiou.edu
