Having played a brutal southern road schedule to open the season, Ohio is used to tough competition. But tonight's game will feature a whole different kind of cat.
The Bobcats (17-30, 10-11 Mid-American Conference) hit the road to face the Pittsburgh Panthers (34-12, 15-5 Big East) in preparation for next weekend's critical conference series at Akron.
The Bobcats pulled into a tie for third place with Miami in the MAC East by sweeping Buffalo in a three-game weekend set.
But coach Joe Carbone is keeping his eyes on the task at hand.
There's no sense looking ahead towards Akron if you're not playing them
he said. We're going to run a bunch of people out there and get them some work so they're ready for Akron (this weekend).
Standing in the way is a Pittsburgh squad that boasts absurd numbers at the plate. The Panthers have a team batting average of .370, which was ranked second-best in the NCAA as of last weekend.
None of Pittsburgh's nine positional starters has an average below .333.
Pittsburgh has also stolen 83 bases in 106 attempts.
They've got great power stats and great speed stats Carbone said. They're really having a great year.
The Panthers are ranked No. 24 by Baseball America and No. 22 by Collegiate Baseball.
Ohio's Brent Choban will make his seventh start of the season, including his second in the Steel City. In his last start, he allowed one earned run with four walks and two strikeouts in 3 2/3 innings against Duquesne April 28.
The Bobcats will travel about 400 miles and seven hours round-trip for tonight's game. They then face Youngstown State at home tomorrow.
It's not that bad Carbone said. You sit on the bus
get something to eat and that's what you have to do to play college baseball.
SWEEPING THE HONORS
Two Bobcats claimed both MAC East awards for their performances this week.
Center fielder Gauntlett Eldemire earned honors as MAC East Player of the Week and was named one of Collegiate Baseball's National Players of the Week. Eldemire hit seven home runs with 11 RBI while batting .700.
Three of the seven homers came in Saturday's 17-5 washout against Buffalo. He also posted a 1.800 slugging percentage.
It's been a great week for him
Carbone said. It would be a great week for anybody.
Starter Jason Moulton was named the MAC East Pitcher of the Week for his outing Friday against the Bulls.
Moulton allowed just one earned run in eight innings while striking out nine and walking one. He picked up the win to improve to 2-3 on the season while lowering his ERA to a team-best 4.01.
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Sports
Michael Stainbrook
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Ohio's Zach Keen takes a swing at the ball Sunday at Bob Wren Stadium in a game against Buffalo. Ohio won 12-5. The Bobcats play today at 6 p.m. at Pittsburgh. (Alex Goodlett | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
