Cleveland State pilfered a victory from Ohio the last time the teams met, but it has yet to right the ship.
The Vikings (9-28, 2-10 Horizon League) came to Athens March 30 with a 4-14 record and walked away with a 12-10 win over the Bobcats (11-26, 6-9 Mid-American Conference).
Since then, Cleveland State has returned to its dismal ways, posting an identical 4-14 mark since the last matchup.
The loss signaled the end of two bumpy months for the Bobcats. Ohio has gone 8-7 in April, including 3-1 in midweek games, after opening the season 3-18.
In February
we weren't really ready (to play) coach Joe Carbone said. April we're now playing teams that are up here
got some games under our belt
made some position changes. It's just a matter of getting out and playing.
Today's contest marks the beginning of a seven-game stretch during which the Bobcats do not play in Athens. They play two midweek contests this week and next, meaning they will have significantly less on-field practice time.
When we go into midweek games
we work on things we need to work on before the game
and then we get to see what we can do with them during the game
Carbone said.
Brock Trimbur (0-2) will make his fourth start of the season for the Bobcats. Trimbur has a 5.54 ERA with 18 strikeouts and 12 walks in 26 innings.
The Bobcats will rely on their rested pitchers to get them to next weekend's MAC series at Kent State, Carbone said.
Ohio must try to feed off of first baseman Jerod Yakubik's recent offensive efforts. The senior carries a 19-game hitting streak into today's game. During the streak, he is batting .405 with 32 hits and 23 runs, all team highs during that stretch.
I think like 12 games was when someone said something about it
but I haven't been keeping track
Yakubik said. I'm just doing what I can do and just trying to hit the ball hard.
The first game against Cleveland State was the third in Yakubik's streak. He went 1-5 with two runs and was hit by a pitch.
Being a senior
I kind of want to be out there in the front and showing an example to all the younger kids
