Despite hopes of a fresh start in Mid-American Conference play, Ohio faced more of the same in a weekend series against Central Michigan.
The Chippewas handed the Bobcats their first MAC series sweep under coach Rob Smith, finishing off the set with a 4-2 besting of the Bobcats on Sunday.
Central Michigan’s pitching was the story of the weekend, as its three starters mowed down Ohio hitting and only allowed six earned runs in the three-game series.
“I thought our guys competed hard (on Sunday),” Smith said. “I’ve got to give them a lot of credit. Central Michigan’s pitching staff, their starters are really good and kept us in check pretty well.”
Central Michigan freshman Nick Deeg toed the rubber Sunday and showed a hard fastball and a breaking ball that caused several Ohio batters to look silly in the batter’s box.
He pitched eight strong innings, allowing only one earned run on seven hits, striking out eight batters while not permitting one baserunner via a walk.
Ohio didn’t start the game very crisply on defense, with Chippewas right fielder Logan Regnier ripping a one-out base hit to Bobcats senior right fielder Scott White in the first inning. White misplayed the ball and allowed Regnier to advance to second.
Central Michigan took advantage, with catcher Tyler Huntey ripping a one-out single into right center to score Regnier from second.
Ohio pitcher Connor Sitz (0-5) later loaded the bases with one out but escaped the frame without any further damage on an inning-ending 4-6-3 double play.
Sitz, a sophomore righthander, allowed 10 hits, but limited the damage by allowing four runs, three of which were earned, with one walk and three strikeouts. His 112 pitches helped spell a bullpen that had been heavily taxed in the opening two games of the series.
“On Sunday, (the bullpen) starts to wear thin,” Sitz said. “Guys get a little bit tired and arms have been out there a couple of times. It’s more of an advantage for the other team. … Any time I can go as long as I can, I’m willing to do so and I’ll try my best.”
After adding a second run on a Regnier groundout in the third inning, the Chippewas increased their lead to three in the fifth on a double by third baseman Adam Collins that scored Huntey, who reached base on an error by Ohio freshman shortstop Tyler Finkler.
Ohio would answer in the bottom half of the frame, as the Bobcats turned a leadoff double from redshirt junior second baseman Garrett Black into their first run of the game, scoring on a fielding error by Chippewas shortstop Morgan Oliver.
Central Michigan’s fourth run came on a Nick Regnier single in the sixth inning that scored second baseman Pat McKenzie, who had advanced to third on a wild pitch earlier in the at-bat.
The Bobcats would make things interesting in the bottom of the ninth, loading the bases with no outs, but could only muster one run from the opportunity on a fielder’s choice off the bat of senior pinch-hitter Chandler Geller.
@C_Hoppens
ch203310@ohiou.edu
Fast Facts:
Central Michigan: 4 (13-10, 3-0 MAC)
OHIO: 1 (4-16, 0-3 MAC)
Final line for Ohio’s Connor Sitz: 7 IP, 4 R, 3 ER, 10 H, 1 BB, 3 K
Final line for CMU’s Nick Deeg: 8 IP, 2 R, 1 ER, 7 H, 0 BB, 8 K
-Ohio 1B Jake Madsen and CF Mitch Longo each went 3 for 4.
This article appeared in print under the headline "'Cats swept in opener"
