Ohio didn't get any time off from class as far as Joe Carbone is concerned.
The Bobcats took a trip to Kalamazoo, Mich., over the weekend to face Western Michigan and returned to Athens with three wins. Ohio swept a doubleheader on Saturday, 5-1 and 2-0, along with a 2-1 victory on Friday.
With victories over Central Michigan and Eastern Michigan earlier in the week, Ohio now has a five-game winning streak - its longest of the season.
We got some things accomplished
Carbone said. (The break) gave us a little bit of time on some education.
For one thing, Ohio's sometimes strained pitching staff is beginning to see some consistency on the mound.
During a six-game streak in early March, Ohio's pitchers surrendered at least 10 runs five times and the team lost three of those games.
But on Ohio's current run, it hasn't allowed more than six runs and the Broncos scored only two runs over the weekend.
One way baseball differs from other sports, Carbone said, is the only way to test your pitchers is in games. The Bobcats have been running more game situations in practice, but nothing replaces an actual opponent.
Our guys are now settling in Carbone said. You found out the answers to those questions when you play games.
Zach Elmer picked up his first win of the season in the second half of Saturday's tandem. He tossed 6 2/3 innings of no-run baseball, striking out five and allowing only three hits.
He also, however, walked five Broncos. On the season, Elmer has walked as many batters (24) as he's struck out.
The key for the senior is keeping the ball around the strike zone, Carbone said.
He's got great stuff he said. But he still walks too many people.
Marc Krauss jump-started Ohio's scoring in the series capper with his team-leading eighth home run in the third inning and then stole home to extend the lead to two in the fifth.
The Bobcats return to Bob Wren Stadium tonight to face Cleveland State at 6 p.m.
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Dylan Scott
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Joel Hawksley | Staff Photographer
Outfielder Marc Krauss makes a throw during Ohio
