Matt Schlarb's second career start went considerably smoother than his first. After he lasted only one-third of an inning and allowed five runs in that lone start last season, Schlarb was much more effective in his second go-round, lasting 6 1/3 innings, allowing no runs on five hits.
With Schlarb handling West Virginia State's hitters, Ohio's bats came to life as the Bobcats (5-5) cruised to a 6-0 victory over the Yellow Jackets.
Schlarb tallied four strikeouts and 10 groundouts in his second victory of the season.
I just have a lot more confidence this year than last year
he said. I kept it down in the zone today and got them to swing at a lot of low fastballs and got a lot of ground balls.
The Bobcats grabbed the lead in the first after outfielder Matt Stiffler doubled to center to drive in Jeremie Rehak. Rehak was hit by a pitch to open the game and stole second to get into scoring position.
Ohio coach Joe Carbone said that his team works on manufacturing runs on the base paths everyday in practice.
We try to be aggressive on the base paths Carbone said. We work on our hit-and-run and small ball a lot. We did a pretty good job at that today.
Rehak and Stiffler ignited the Ohio offense again in the third as the Bobcats added three runs expanding their lead to 4-0. Rehak reached first on an error to start the inning and scored the Bobcats second run on an RBI single by Stiffler.
Stiffler said Rehak set the table for Ohio on offense.
He's a good leadoff hitter and he gets on base
Stiffler said. He moves around the bases pretty well and does what we have to do to score runs. That's what you need in a leadoff hitter.
Stiffler later scored on a fielder's choice. Designated hitter Kirk Payne knocked in outfielder Willie Walker on an RBI triple to complete the three-run inning.
Schlarb ran into trouble in the seventh as the Yellow Jackets loaded the bases with one out. He was replaced by left-hander Daniel Utts, who escaped the jam by forcing a strikeout and a groundout to maintain the Bobcats' lead.
Stiffler, who scored the Bobcats fifth run on a sacrifice fly by Payne in the seventh, finished with three hits, three stolen bases, two runs scored, and two RBIs to lead Ohio in all offensive categories.
It's nice to get out here and play on a little warmer day
he said. I felt better and was just doing my job.
The Bobcats will test out their five-game winning streak this weekend in a three-game series against Butler.
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Steve Gartner
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Ohio pitcher Matt Schlarb launches the ball during the Bobcat's 6-0 win over West Virginia State yesterday.
