As the Ohio baseball team heads off for its fourth conference series of the season, the Bobcats will feature a different starting rotation yet again.
Battling injury and bouts of inconsistency, Ohio Coach Joe Carbone has been forced to continually alter his weekend rotation, with one 6-foot-4-inch, right-handed exception: Chris Bova.
The senior has been a staple in the Bobcats' (11-18 overall, 4-5 Mid-American Conference) rotation, and this weekend's series at Marshall (13-20, 1-7 MAC) will prove no different. Bova takes the ball on Friday, just like he always does.
He's been the most consistent pitcher the whole year
Carbone said. He throws strikes and gives us a chance to win - always gives us a chance to win.
Entering the series against the Thundering Herd, Bova takes a 3-4 record and a 4.06 earned run average. His 38 strikeouts and 51 innings pitched are team highs.
If we use him on Friday we don't have to use our bullpen as much
so it saves some people
Carbone said. He's earned the right to be out there on Friday. The best pitcher goes every Friday.
Taking the ball on a consistent basis is part of being a leader for Ohio, Bova said.
Being a captain on the team
I feel that I need to set an example for the guys
Bova said. Not only the pitchers but the position players as well.
Bova's consistency has resulted in confidence for the rest of the team.
I expect to win every single Friday that we play
even last year
outfielder Bryan Buck said. He won't blow you away with a 98 miles per hour fastball
but he spots his pitches very well. He's very consistent.
Marshall features a team batting average and ERA that hover near the bottom of the conference. Still, Carbone said Ohio is in for a tough fight.
Playing Marshall at Marshall is a tough place to play. We're going to have our hands full
he said. We still have a long ways to go in the season
