In the top of the second, Ohio’s game against Toledo was taking on a familiar tone for the Bobcats.
An error, paired with two singles with no outs set up what could’ve been a big inning for the Rockets. Freshman Jake Miller was in a precarious situation.
But unlike many big innings the Bobcats have given up in the past, the Bobcats limited the damage and allowed only two Toledo runs on three straight ground outs.
That, however, only delayed Toledo’s offensive explosion, as the Rockets scored four in the sixth and capitalized on three Ohio errors for an 8-5 victory.
It was Ohio’s eighth consecutive loss in what has been a frustrating week for the Bobcats, after committing five errors in a 20-15 loss to Youngstown State on Tuesday.
“I thought our energy was great,” coach Rob Smith said. “Tonight’s another indication, as we’re trying to change the culture here, that we have to get more defensive minded. Too many games we’re giving too many free bases to the opponent. That’s costing us games.
After the initial offensive outburst from Toledo, the Bobcats answered, manufacturing a run on an RBI single by designated hitter J.R. Reynolds. Reynolds then advanced two bases to score on an error by Toledosecond baseman Deion Tansel.
The Rockets four run sixth began with an RBI single by Toledo first baseman Matt Delewski, leaving men on the corners with one out in the inning. Those bases were quickly vacated, as center fielder Ben Hammer hit a blast over the right field wall.
That marked the end of an inconsistent day for Miller, who went 5.1 innings, allowing 11 hits, two walks and seven runs, six of which were earned.
“It was supposed to be a changeup away, but it ran in on the guy,” Smith said regarding the three run homer that ended Miller’s afternoon. “That’s a lot to ask out of a freshman. To have him go out on Friday nights and try to compete in a MAC ballgame is a tall order.”
After Toledo increased its lead to 8-3 in the top half of the seventh, Ohio narrowed the lead back down to three, as senior shortstop Dan Schmidt hit a frozen rope down the left field line to score Nate Squires and Tyler Wells.
Ohio’s bullpen also sported a strong performance, with Brad Przebieda, Logan Cozart and Brett Barber combining for 3.2 innings pitched, allowing only one unearned run. Cozart was especially sharp, striking out three in 1.2 innings and showed his potential, Smith said.
The two will face off again tomorrow in a double header at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., as Sunday's game was pushed forward a day with snow in the forecast.
ch203310@ohiou.edu
