Lightning doesn’t normally strike twice, but for the Bobcats, it did.
After losing to the Seahawks 6-3 on Saturday, the Bobcats also dropped their second matchup on Sunday 9-1, as Ohio tallied two errors and was out hit 14-6 in the second bout of the weekend.
Ohio (2-4) played a pair of doubleheaders against Liberty and UNC-Wilmington this weekend in the UNC-Wilmington Tournament, but finished the weekend with just one victory. The Bobcats’ start to the season is an improvement from last season’s 1-5 mark through the same number of games.
“They’re a good team,” coach Rob Smith said. “They’re one of the best in their region and we found that out today. We were competitive but we came up a little short.”
After only allowing two runs in the first five innings, Ohio allowed seven combined runs in the sixth and eighth innings, while junior first baseman Jake Madsen scored Ohio’s only point in the top ninth.
Madsen was a bright spot for Ohio offense as he went two for four at bat and recorded eight putouts for the Bobcats defensively. Madsen also boosted the Bobcats’ offense by finishing three for four and an RBI in Ohio’s 5-4 win over Liberty earlier on Sunday.
“He’s one of our best hitters,” Smith said. “He’s been one of the best here for a while and he’s continued to do what he’s capable to do.”
Sophomore pitcher Connor Sitz tossed five innings to start the game and allowed just two runs of Ohio’s 9-1 loss to UNC-Wilmington.
Freshman centerfielder Mitch Longo continued his fast start to the season by driving in three RBIs. Through the first two weekends he’s posted a batting average of .458.
“Longo was really good for us,” Smith said. “I’m really pleased with our bullpen for bending but not breaking. Liberty has a good club, they’re a regional caliber team, (we) played tough and (are) really pleased with our win.”
The Bobcats fought rain delays throughout the first day of the tournament, as Ohio’s match up with Liberty on Friday was postponed to Sunday. The delay didn’t affect the team as the only barring the team faced was a change in the pitchers’ routine, Smith said.
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Fast Facts
-After a rain delay, Ohio faced off against Liberty and UNC-Willmington on Saturday and Sunday.
-The Bobcats lost 8-5 to Liberty and 6-3 to UNC-Willmington.
-Ohio has never faced either team in the past nine seasons.
