Ohio (3-18, 1-5 Mid-American Conference) is coming off a series against the visiting Western Michigan Broncos (9-9, 5-1 MAC) where the Bobcats went 0-3. So far this season, one of Ohio’s biggest issues has been hitting the ball consistently against opposing pitchers.
In their first game against the Broncos, the Bobcats’ offense was quite stellar where they recorded 12 runs on 16 hits without a single error. Ohio had the lead going into the top of the eighth inning, but Western Michigan scored 9 runs to Ohio’s zero.
Senior outfielder Cam Hill led the Bobcats with three hits and three RBIs, one of which was a home run. Joining Hill in tallying home runs were junior outfielder Cam Boyd and fifth-year infielder Will Henson. Designated hitter redshirt sophomore Max Palinski got to third base multiple times by tallying two hits, a walk and one RBI.
Sophomore right-handed pitcher Luke Bryant was the first Bobcat on the mound for Ohio and allowed only four runs on four hits by Western Michigan. Out of the bullpen, freshman right-handed pitcher Mason Gass was on the mound for the majority of the first game.
The second game of this series saw a far different outcome than the starting contest. The final score was 6-3 in favor of the Broncos, which highlights how conflicting hitting has been for the Bobcats.
However, one aspect of this particular game was how well Ohio played on defense. Ohio head coach Andrew See was pleased with the Bobcats’, as he puts it, “situational defense.”
“Our situational defense was outstanding today,” See said. “That was one of the better games we’ve played overall as a team this year.”
Once again, Hill was a crucial piece of Ohio’s offense in this game. He had a home run in the bottom of the eighth inning and had two hits as well. Senior utility man Cale Steinbaugh and redshirt sophomore outfielder Max Palinski each contributed, tallying RBIs.
Pitching for the Bobcats that were on the mound the majority of the game were left-handers, sophomore Hunter Winston and freshman Gaige Stuckey. Along with four other pitchers, Winston and Stuckey displayed masterful concentration on the hill.
“I thought we executed very well on the pitching side … ” See said regarding his players’ performances.
The final game saw Ohio’s players perform better in terms of hitting compared to game two, but Western Michigan’s batting order was electric with 16 total runs on 18 hits, including one error.
The Bobcats did improve on their offense by scoring seven runs on 10 hits plus an error, but the main issue in this performance was the stagnation of getting on base and eventually to home plate.
Steinbaugh continued an impressive weekend at bat by going 3-for-4 with two RBI singles in the bottom of the second inning. Pitching-wise, Ohio’s junior right-hander AJ Dallmayer got the start and allowed 5 runs through three innings.
Five of Dallmayer’s teammates would see action on the mound, one of whom was freshman right-hander Rylan Sams, toward the end of the game.
The Bobcats had many chances to possibly tie or even win against the Broncos; however, they failed to capitalize as the opposing team’s defense was too tight and struggling to hit. See did recognize some improvement amongst his ballclub despite the loss.
“In spurts, the pitching was better,” See said. “It’s just gonna pull together in one or two games eventually.”
Ohio’s next game is against the Morehead State Eagles this coming Wednesday, March 18 at with the first pitch thrown at 3 p.m. ET.
