Last week, the only thing Ohio pitcher Chris Bova thought he was going to win was a decision Friday against Marshall. That theory disappeared earlier this week, however.
Monday, Bova was named the Mid-American Conference Male Scholar Athlete of the Week. The award is given to a male and a female student-athlete who holds a minimum 3.0 grade point average and excels on the field.
Bova is the third Bobcat to attain the achievement in the 2002-03 academic year. Swimmer Emily Frasco was selected Feb. 4 and wrestler Paul Hodermarsky won Feb. 11.
Tuesday, the awards continued for the right-hander, as he was named the MAC East Division Pitcher of the Week for the second time this season. Bova struck out a career-high 12 batters in an 11-1 complete-game victory against the Thundering Herd, improving his record to 3-1.
"I really wasn't expecting it at all," Bova said. "I'm pretty excited."
Freshmen filling holes
Senior leadership is an undeniable factor in a team's success, but a quality freshmen contribution can also go a long way. Ohio has seen significant output from some its youngest players this season.
"They've made a real contribution, as freshmen, to the team," Ohio coach Joe Carbone said.
Pitcher Rob Harmon is currently second on the staff in appearances and has two saves and one win to his credit. Fellow freshman pitcher/infielder Anthony Gressick is 2-1 in seven appearances on the hill and has 44 at bats in 11 starts offensively for the Bobcats.
"He's just an outstanding athlete. He could play probably anywhere on the field," said associate coach Bill Toadvine.
Other first-year standouts, outfielder Brian Buck and infielder Matt Geiger, are batting a combined .541 average in 37 plate appearances this season.
Starters going the distance
Ohio's starting pitchers showed their ability to finish what they started this weekend, as three Bobcat pitchers went the distance in Ohio's four-game series.
Following up Bova's performance on Friday, Marc Cornell and Walt Novosel both threw complete games in a 16-2 win and 4-3 loss, respectively.
Toadvine said it especially is helpful in the MAC to have strong starting pitching because weekend series include four games in three days.
"It's good to have starters that can pitch a lot of innings for you," he said. "It saves your bullpen."
In 3 2/3 innings of work this weekend, three pitchers out of the bullpen scattered two hits, allowing one run and striking out three.
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T.J. Lasita
