A trend has appeared in the results of Ohio baseball games during the past three weeks: whoever scores first wins.
It continued this past weekend, as the Bobcats (19-21, 5-10 MAC) scored first and won the first two games of a three-game series against Bowling Green.
In the final game of the series yesterday, the Falcons scored first and later claimed the 6-3 win to avoid the sweep.
Despite the loss, Ohio won its first Mid-American Conference series of the season.
After trailing 3-1 heading into the seventh inning yesterday, the Bobcats tied the score on hits from freshmen Taylor Emody, Dan Ward and Garrett Black.
The three freshmen continued to act as catalysts to the team’s offense, recording a combined 11 hits and eight RBIs during the series.
“All three have improved their swings and are starting to recognize pitches a little more,” coach Joe Carbone said. “They improved their fundamentals and did a good job this weekend.”
Despite the comeback, Ohio’s bullpen could not hang on in the eighth inning.
Three walks, two hits and two passed balls led to three Bowling Green runs and a 6-3 lead. Ohio used four different relief pitchers in the inning.
Shaky pitching yesterday was a poor way to end an otherwise well-pitched weekend for Ohio.
In game one of a double-header on Saturday, Seth Streich threw eight innings, allowed only one run and struck out eight in Ohio’s 5-2 win.
Brent Choban pitched 7 1/3 innings in game two Saturday and allowed four earned runs on nine hits. Ohio won 7-5 in 10 innings.
“Choban and Streich both threw the ball really well this weekend,” Carbone said. “Streich has been throwing well all year, he just hasn’t had much luck. But, we pitched Bowling Green very tough, and they’re a good hitting team.”
In each of its last five wins, Ohio has scored first, but in their past eight out of nine losses, the Bobcats have been first to concede a run.
Despite the trend, Carbone said scoring first doesn’t give a team an advantage.
“It has no impact,” he said. “It’s who scores the most runs when the game is over. It doesn’t matter when you score them.”
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