Series losses have been common for Ohio.
The squad hasn’t won a single series since May 13, 2012, when it swept Akron on the road, which is where the Bobcats will head this weekend.
The Bobcats will look to break that streak and win its first series since last season, as they hit the road for the first away weekend series in five weeks. The Bobcats have been at Bob Wren Stadium for the past four weekend series, despite playing one as the road team in one.
But a seven-game losing streak looms over the Bobcats — they have only won once in their past 16 games.
A 2-1 loss at Marshall on Wednesday looks to be a step in the right direction for Ohio, despite being put away by a combined score of 34-6 in three games against Kent State last weekend.
Ohio will look to win no matter what, as coach Rob Smith believes the effort has been there and they should be rewarded in due time.
“At this point I want to beat anyone we play,” Smith said. “Whether it’s Marshall or Akron, I want us to play good baseball and gain some victories because our guys have worked hard and they deserve to win some games.”
Akron lost two of three games in Oxford against Miami last weekend, but the Zips put together non-conference road wins Tuesday against Pittsburgh and then Wednesday against Canisius.
Akron also has played Ohio State in Columbus this season and similar to Ohio’s meeting, the Zips lost. Ohio State defeated Akron 6-5 exactly two weeks before it downed Ohio 11-6.
The Zips’ offense is led by junior outfielders Devan Ahart and Joey Havrilak. Ahart has recorded 21 runs and recorded a team-high 36 hits, while Havrilak also has 21 runs and added a team-high 18 RBIs on 34 hits and 13 walks.
Akron has outscored its opponents by a score of 157-149 in 30 games, while Ohio has been outscored by a lofty 230-94 during one fewer game played than the Zips.
Ohio’s pitchers have been the silver lining of the team this season, despite only being able to put together five total wins. The typical Roehn-Rudnicki-Sitz rotation will be in action this weekend.
Freshman pitcher Jake Roehn is set to get the usual start Friday. Roehn is the innings leader for Ohio, as he has gone 45 2/3 innings, allowing 22 earned runs on 45 hits and nine walks.
Roehn and freshman pitcher Jake Rudnicki have been able to keep their earned run averages below 5.00. The third starter, sophomore Connor Sitz, has an ERA of 6.12, because of a rough outing last weekend when he lasted just one inning.
The Bobcats will look to continue the stellar weekend pitching, as it has been a key to any success that they have gotten this season.
“If we continue to pitch and force (the opponent) to hit the ball we’ll at least give ourselves a chance to win the game,” Smith said.
@alex_busch91
ab109410@ohiou.edu
Up Next
Ohio (5-24, 1-8 MAC) at Akron (16-14, 6-3 MAC)
Probable Bobcats Pitchers:
Jake Roehn -- 3 p.m., Friday
Jake Rudnicki -- 1 p.m., Saturday
Connor Sitz -- 1 p.m., Sunday
