Although professional baseball teams were opening their regular seasons across the country this week, collegiate programs are nearing their midway point.
Through 28 games, a bit more than half Ohio’s schedule, the Bobcats hold a 13-15 record and have split their six Mid-American Conference games.
But as the Bobcats move into the second half of their season, they would also like to move up in the MAC standings, where they sit in a three-way tie for second place in the East Division.
Ohio will have a prime opportunity to do just that this weekend in a three-game series against Northern Illinois. Ohio coach Joe Carbone said the Bobcats’ overall mark is not as important as improving their conference standing.
“If you look at all the teams in the MAC and Big Ten, there might be a couple teams over .500 and a lot of teams below because of the early season trips south,” Carbone said. “Our concern is winning the series up there and staying ahead in the conference.”
The Huskies (8-20, 2-4 MAC) have not hit particularly impressive marks in any major statistical categories, but do have some aspects of the game working in their favor.
The Huskies are 4-1 at home on the season, with their senior shortstop, Alex Jones, who was named MAC West Player of the Week Monday.
The Bobcats and Huskies are two very different teams in nearly every sense, including team makeup. Only one Bobcat is from Illinois, while none of the Huskies call Ohio home.
“I don’t think anyone from Northern Illinois tries to recruit from Ohio,” Carbone said. “They have the Chicago area.”
Carbone was quick to emphasize that the Bobcats do scour Illinois for talent, but players are not always as keen on making the move to Southeast Ohio.
“Illinois is a tough place for us because we have to travel all the way across,” he said. “Miami, Ball State and Bowling Green have more success in Illinois because it’s not as far. Parents want to see their kids play.”
The Bobcats will put the ball in the hands of their top three pitchers during the series, which is something they have not been able to do in more than two weeks.
There’s a good chance that Ohio will be able to welcome junior hurler Seth Streich (1-3) back to the hill Sunday if he is feeling up to the task. Streich has missed nine consecutive games because of injury but struck out 27 in his five starts before bowing out of the lineup.
Senior Brent Choban (3-2) will take the mound Friday and senior Jason Moulton (1-2) will be Ohio’s Saturday starter.
The Bobcats’ strong pitching staff, which tops the MAC with a cumulative 3.16 ERA, is far superior to Northern Illinois’ lowly 6.35 team average.
Ohio’s pitching staff has also limited opposing batters to a .267 batting average, which is second to only Kent State in the conference.
On the other side of the ball, Ohio senior right fielder Jensen Painter will look to reach base safely for the 29th straight game. Freshman first baseman Jake Madsen is riding a 21-game hitting streak as well.
Ohio’s Wednesday game against Marshall was cancelled because of weather.
The Bobcats are 4-9 on the road this season.
jr992810@ohiou.edu
