The Ohio Bobcat baseball team returns to conference play today for the beginning of a three-game series on the road against the Mid-American Conference West Division leader Ball State.
After losing four straight games, Ohio (8-13, 2-4 MAC) now faces one of the most impressive MAC teams of the season thus far in the Cardinals (15-12, 5-1 MAC).
Ball State has a very good hitting ball club and a veteran club
Ohio coach Joe Carbone said. They have a solid team.
The Cardinals have won five straight conference games, including a three-game sweep of Miami last weekend.
With the loss of Anthony Gressick on the Bobcat pitching staff, Ohio has been forced to throw many young arms into the mix.
It all comes down to pitching Carbone said. (During mid-week games) we've got five pitchers that each have to go two innings. If one guy doesn't go his two innings the others are kind of screwed; so now you're trying to juggle things.
Relief pitcher Yale Silverman stressed the importance of focusing on success no matter the circumstances.
That's just something you got to be able to do as a relief pitcher. You got to be able to come in
and wherever the guys are try and get them out and hopefully it works out.
On the other hand, Ohio's offense has been quite productive despite pre-season concerns that run production would prove difficult with the graduation of Brian Colopy, Ben Crabtree and Phil Sabatini.
We need to hit earlier in the games and not give up so many runs
infielder Jon Vondrell said. It's pretty tough. We just need to hit the whole game.
However, Ohio's defensive problems and pitching difficulties have offset the positives of the Bobcats' offensive capabilities. Ohio averages nearly seven runs a game, but has allowed opponents an average of almost eight runs a game.
Carbone emphasized the youth of this year's squad and how it has been a factor this season.
They need time to develop and we're in that situation right now. For better or worse
we've got to do it ... We just need to concentrate on getting better. Ball State is an outstanding team so we'll have to play our best baseball
he said.
Ohio begins the first of a three-game set at 3 p.m. today.
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Nick Brockman
