Bob Wren Stadium has not treated its visitors particularly nicely this season, as Ohio is 6-3 there in 2012. The Bobcats will look to continue their winning ways Tuesday against Wright State.
The Raiders will make the trip east to face Ohio (10-12, 1-2 Mid-American Conference), having won only five of its 13 road games.
But the Raiders have loaded up on top-notch competition leading into its Horizon League schedule, making for the less-than-impressive road mark.
Wright State holds a modest 11-10 record, including four victories in conference play, but their schedule to date holds a collective .578 winning percentage and only a third of their opponents have a sub-.500 record.
Notably, the Raiders squeaked out a win against then-No. 14 Virginia in early March.
“I’m sure that they’re kind of like us, they go out and play good teams,” Ohio coach Joe Carbone said. “And I’m sure that gets them ready for their conference season.”
Much of the Raiders’ success can be attributed to a hearty offensive attack. Wright State batters average a combined .303 at the plate, which ranks first in the conference. The Raiders also lead their conference in hits (223) and have scored 131 runs this season.
“They’re a good hitting team, so we’re going to have to pitch well to beat them,” Carbone said.
The Bobcats will start senior hurler Shane Dedig (1-0) against the Raiders. In relief, Ohio could turn to any of 11 pitchers, with freshman brothers Nick and Tyler Plys at the top of the list. Those who do not make an appearance will likely see action in Wednesday’s matchup with Otterbein.
Tuesday’s game will kick off a busy week for the Bobcats, as Carbone gave his team the nod to focus on academics and get some much-needed rest Monday.
In the next seven days alone, the Bobcats square off with nonconference opponents Wright State, Otterbein and Cincinnati once apiece and host MAC foe Eastern Michigan during the weekend for a three-game series.
“Baseball’s not like football or basketball, where you prepare for the other team,” Carbone said. “You do that a little bit, but you work more and more on preparing yourself.”
UP NEXT:
Tuesday
Bob Wren Stadium
Ohio (10-12, 1-2 MAC) vs. Wright State (11-10, 4-2 Horizon League)
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Last year’s game was rained out and the teams split the last two meetings.
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Wright State has played five games against NCAA-ranked teams, winning one.
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Ohio starting pitcher Shane Dedig won his first start with the team against West Virginia State University March 6.
