COLUMBUS — After a third-straight one-run loss Sunday, coach Rob Smith explained his use of four different leadoff hitters in the previous eight games, saying he was “just trying to figure out our offense.”
As of Tuesday, in the Bobcats’ 3-0 loss to Ohio State at Nick Swisher Field at Bill Davis Stadium, they have yet to figure it out.
The loss marked the Bobcats’ fifth-straight — their longest streak since the end of the 2013-14 season — and 10th-straight against Ohio State. Ohio hasn’t beaten the Ohio State since 1990.
“I think today (was) a little frustrating,” Ohio shortstop Tyler Finkler said. “But we’ve just gotta do a better job of piecing together hits so we can get some runs on the board and get some wins.”
The Bobcats had seven baserunners — only two reached as far as second base.
In its best chance of the night, Ohio (11-12) opened the eighth inning with singles from Finkler and Connor McMann. But Devon Garcia and Nick Bredeson followed with a pair of looking strikeouts and Rudy Rott lined out to right.
Smith wasn’t entirely displeased with his struggling offense, which managed six hits and was shutout for the first time this season. Smith noted that several players made solid contact, including Rott on his lineout.
Early on, the Bobcats didn’t do enough to rattle Buckeye starter Austin Woodby, who tossed four scoreless innings on 39 pitches with 30 strikes.
Smith said the game plan was to approach at-bats aggressively against Woodby, but as a result he cruised through the Ohio order without strain.
“We’ve been too passive (at times) and end up in too many two-strike counts,” Smith said. “And then we get overly aggressive and you don’t have pitch count. That’s kind of what it looks like when you’re not in a really good offensive rhythm.”
The Bobcats’ only threat against Woodby came in the first, when Spencer Ibarra and Michael Klein knocked back-to-back two-out singles. But Ty Black grounded out to short and ended the chance.
After that, Ohio went three-up, three-down the next five innings. Ibarra led off the fourth with a bunt single, one of just three times the Bobcats’ leadoff reached safely, but Klein promptly grounded into a double play.
Ibarra was the bright spot of the offense with three hits, snapping a 2-for-14 slump.
Ohio State (10-14) scored in the fourth inning, capitalizing on catcher Nick Bredeson’s throwing error. Bredeson threw down to third base, attempting to throw out Ohio State runner Jacob Barnwell.
But the ball skipped in front of the bag and bounced away from third baseman Connor Callery, which allowed Barnwell to score the eventual winning run.
In the seventh, the Buckeyes loaded the bases on an error, a hit by pitch and walk, before singling in two more runs.
“They scored basically all three runs on one hit,” Smith said.
Smith thought his pitching staff gave up too many bases and was sloppier than it had been most of the year, gifting six walks, two hit batsmen and three stolen bases.
Yet, only three runs scored. So the problem remains the offense.
“We’re just kinda telling them (the pitching staff), hang in there,” Finkler said. “Hang in there with us. We’ll get you your runs. It’ll come soon.”
